We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures. ~Thornton Wilder

If you are like most people, you probably take the little things in your life for granted. Not because you don't appreciate them, and not because they aren't important, but because they've always been there and you have come to see them as "normal" parts of your life. Deborah Norville refers to it as Thank you Power in her book entitled Thank You Power, others refer to it a gratitude and still others call it thanking God--but it all boils down to being thankful and showing appreciation for the good things in our lives.

The simple act of expressing your gratitude releases tremendous power in your life as it forces you to shift your focus from what you do not have to what you already have in your life. It's normal (and even desired) to wish for bigger and better things for yourself and your family, but how you do that matters.

What we focus our attention on determines the results we reap. Because the human mind works to bring about the images we feed it, focusing on the lack in our lives often magnifies the lack. When we focus on the things we do not want in our lives, such as financial difficulties, health problems or struggling relationships, our mind becomes stayed on those and works diligently to create the image we have provided.

The trick, of course, is to feed the brain images of what we want in our lives. Cultivating the habit of taking a stock of your blessings is a powerful way to do just that. Not only does it set the stage of the things that give meaning and value to your life, according to an article published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology (2001) it improves the immune system, helps you handle stress and may extend your life up to 10 years. Other studies indicate that positive thinking and gratitude improve your attention span, promote creativity and expand your ability to think in divergent ways.

Get into the habit of expressing your gratitude or saying thank-you for those things in your life that bring your joy and you will soon find yourself feeling better about yourself and better able to tackle any obstacles that loom in your way to realizing your dreams.

Today, I am grateful for my cat that lies calmly in the morning sun while I work, for snoring dogs and the brilliant blue of the sky. I am grateful for wind chimes that make music in the breeze, for blades of grass that blanket the lawn and for little dirt roads that meander out of sight.

I am grateful for sunflowers that stand tall and strong, for wood vines that creep along the fence and for birds that sing. I am grateful for good books to read, for the echo of laughter and the sound of the loon.

I am grateful for family that keeps me strong, for friends who teach me much and for strangers that I may never meet but who touch my life in indiscernible ways. 

And, I am grateful for you dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May you cultivate the art of expressing your gratitude 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. 

"To reach a port, we must sail - sail, not tie at anchor - sail, not drift." -- FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT

So many times, we set our sights on a destination and then sit ourselves down with the expectation that we will somehow reach it without even setting the sails for that direction. We cast our hopes and dreams to the wind, thinking that the wind itself will power our path--never entertaining the thought that in order to sail we must harness its power.

Cultivate the habit of setting your sails. You may not always be able to determine the direction of the wind, but a skilled sailor knows how to use it to his advantage. Be a sailor today, as you determine the direction you shall go.

Today, I am grateful for the approach of fall, the smell of leaves and the cooling of air. I am grateful for fall winds, sunflowers and the tiny hummingbird that gathers energy for its long flight. I am grateful for fresh, clean rain; for white, puffy clouds and for the energy that only fall brings.

I am grateful for children as they head off to school, for teachers who provide their care and parents who adapt to the seasonal changes in their lifestyle. I am grateful for the renewed expectations of another school year, for eager learners and for knowledge available to our children.

I am grateful for family and friends who bring me joy, for strangers who challenge my thinking and for  writers who share their knowledge via the written word.

And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May you cultivate the habit of setting your sails to harvest the power of the winds to lead you in the direction of your dreams.

"You can't depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus." -- MARK TWAIN

Often in life we think we know what lies before us. As humans we are accustomed to seeing what we already believe to be true. As Marl Twain points out, if you imagination is out of focus, what you see may be too.

A long time ago, I dealt with a young man who had overheard his father's conversation on the phone. As the father spoke, unaware that the son was listening from another room, he made a reference to a name. Now, the son knew someone with this name, and quickly assumed the father was talking about his friend. The conversation continued and because of this one assumption, the young man built up an elaborate story in his head to accommodate the various parts of the conversation. He was sure his father was talking about him and his friend and grew angrier by the moment at the things he imagined his father was saying about them. But he kept silent.

Some weeks later the son he revealed his beliefs in a fit of anger.It was then that the father became aware of this simple misunderstanding. The son, of course, would have nothing to do with his father's explanation. He knew what he heard and he was unable to see outside himself long enough to consider alternate explanations. He had relived his false assumptions so many times that no other explanation would do. This one incident colored their relationship and determined the path the young man would take in the future. Yet, his imagination was out of focus and what he saw (heard) was too.

How like this young man we are sometimes as we hold fast to the things we believe are true, and think that our choices are limited to only what we see at the moment. 

Strive to put your imagination in focus today, so that you may see the many opportunities before you as you go forward to reach your goals.

Today, I am grateful for sunny skies, gentle breezes and the smell of impending fall. I am grateful for mums that bring bright color in the last leg of summer, for hummingbirds that get their fill in the summer sun, and for cats that laze in the summer rays.

I am grateful for family and friends who I hold dear, for good books, and the music of the crickets into the night.

And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May you strive to keep your imagination in focus, as you go forward in the direction of your dreams.

Life is full of obstacle illusions. ~Grant Frazier

As human beings we become so accustomed to seeing the things that stand in our way, that we forget there is always a way around them. Instead of looking for another way, we often give up and assume that our goals and dreams cannot be met. But, as Grant Frazier cleverly points out: that is often an illusion.

Consider the obstacles in your path today and get in the habit of seeing them as a mere illusion. There are many paths to your future, and many trails to your dreams. It is up to you to find them.

Today, I am grateful for the insight and wisdom to defeat seeming obstacles in my way, for the courage to press forward, even when it seems like there is no way to reach my goals. I am grateful for marvelous power of the human mind, for the ability to use that mind to see beyond the obvious, and for the drive to succeed.


I am grateful for summer rain that quenches my garden's thirst, for flowers that awake covered in dew, and for sunshine that scatters in an array of color as it touches raindrops on the grass.


I am grateful for music of the wind as it tickles the trees, for the call of the owl in the wee hours of dawn, and for stars that shine brightly under the cover of darkness.


I am grateful for family that I hold dear, for friends that share my life, and for children not yet born--who will surely change our world.


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

“How you think about a problem is more important than the problem itself. So always think positively.” - Norman Vincent Peale

Seven Day Mental Diet Challenge Day Five

It always amazes me that it is our thinking that defines the challenges we face in life, not the actual circumstances. We are so accustomed to believing that the world around us defines our life -- yet, all the great thinkers repeatedly tell us it it simply isn't so.

Strive to think outside the box today and look at your problems and challenges in a new light. There is nothing so great that it cannot be overcome by a change in perspective and the will to succeed.

Today, I am grateful for the cool morning breeze to start my day, for the cheery robin who welcomes another day and for hummingbirds that dart here and there in search of sweet nectar. I am grateful for green grass, for growing vegetables and flowers.

I am grateful for a clear sound mind, a healthy energetic body and for insight as I begin my day. I am grateful for the mighty sun, for the glorious moon and for dancing leaves that flutter in the breeze. I am grateful for color and music and fragrance.

I am grateful for family, for friends and for polar bears.

And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May you strive to think about your problems in new ways that you may overcome seeming obstacles as you go forward in the direction of your dreams.

Each day comes bearing its own gifts. Untie the ribbons" -- RUTH ANN SCHABACKER

Day Four: Seven Day Mental Challenge Diet

Sometimes, that which is right before us is the most difficult to see. What may seem dull and ordinary may contain the key to your success, if you but take the time to look. Strive to see life's gifts today. Go ahead, untie some bows -- you may be surprised at what you may find right before your eyes.

I've been reading The Secret of Mental Magic by Vernon Howard. In his book, Howard carefully explains that our thoughts are often clouded by our "illusions" of the way life is or the way we are. These images have been created by our interactions with the world, but they are not all accurate. That little voice that whispers, "I'm not good enough." or "I'm not smart enough." is simply the result of our faulty beliefs about ourselves and our world. 

In this book, Howard explains that we have the power to overcome those self-defeating thoughts with four simple words. "I need not obey." We all have within ourselves the power to simply refuse to react to self-defeating talk. We do not need to listen to that little voice that tells us what we can and cannot do. 

For today, practice being a rebel and stopping those thoughts cold with a bold, "I need not obey." Astonishing results are sure to follow.

Today, I am grateful for summer sun, white puffy clouds and butterflies. I am grateful for the vast ocean that teems with life, for the rainforest with its lush green growth and for far-away places I may only visit in my minds eye. 

I am grateful for the vastness of the Universe, for clear skies sparkling with stars, for the golden orb of the moon and for rainbows.

I am grateful for family and friends who enrich my life, for neighbors who are always there and for soldiers who keep my world safe.

And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May you untie the bows to find life's gifts today, as you go forward in the direction of your dreams.