You are Blessed...

You are blessed. You are filled with possibilities. What good are your blessings if you’re not making the most of them? What value are your possibilities if you do not make the effort to fulfill them?  I challenge you to stop for a moment and consider all the good things which you too often take for granted -- your health, your family, the air you breathe, the water you drink, your home, your community, the magnificent universe around you, your faith, your friends, the knowledge you possess, your skills, the list goes on and on.

Think of the good things you have going for you. There may be many or there may be few. What matters most, is that YOU ARE BLESSED.  You can take all the things that are of you, and from them you will grow. Gratitude and appreciation is vital in the growth of who you are and what you have.  

When you truly appreciate your blessings, they become powerfully compelling. They will grow, filling your life with quality and excellence, and compelling you to reach even higher.

Realize that gratitude and thankfulness are more than just words or thoughts. To truly appreciate the good things in your life, you must take the actions necessary to nurture and defend them.

Remember, you’re blessed.  You've got a great starting point. Choose today to let your many blessings compel you to reach ever higher.

Your Success...

How do you know if you are successful? How do you know if what you are doing is working? You have to take stock on a regular basis. How often? I would say at the end of each day. If you’re going through the day and not making any progress, then you’ll need to change your approach. 

Success is a very personal thing. The only way you can measure your success is to look at the progress you’ve made toward your own goals. Your success is not defined by someone else’s goals, or by what other people think. It is measured by your own progress toward your own goals. Success is a numbers game. So you need to know your numbers. How much money are you making? How many people are you influencing? What’s your weight? Your cholesterol count? How much time do you have to spend with your family? How is your investment portfolio? You need to keep up with the numbers that define your goals. It’s the only way you’ll know if you’re on the right track.

If you don't agree with the numbers, if you are not happy with the numbers, what then? If you are truly committed to your goals, then the realization that you’re not making progress toward them will further strengthen your resolve. You’ll be disgusted and determined but that will inspire you to do whatever it takes. You can make adversity motivate you. Strive to turn your disgust into inspiration, not depression, and you’ll have a powerful force on your side.

Remember that the world doesn’t care what happens to you. The world doesn't track your success nor reward you for it.  Success is personal.  Your success is up to you.  It is your responsibility to know where you are, and where you want to go. 

The Words You Choose...

When talking to yourself or to others, the words you choose to use can make an enormous difference. Look for ways to make your language more consistently positive, and watch your attitude follow suit.  Sometimes a simple change in wording can make a world of difference. Consider the word “but.” Sticking a “but” on the end of your stated intentions effectively cancels them out. Think of the times you’ve heard yourself saying things such as “I need to get in better shape, but I can’t find the time to exercise."

Rather than “but” consider what would happen if you substituted “because.” “I need to get in better shape because it will give me much more energy.” Add even more power with the word “so.” “I need to get in better shape because it will give me much more energy, so I will re-arrange my schedule to provide time for a regular work-out.” See the power.  Notice how the use of those two simple words, because and so, can compel you to change your whole outlook on the situation.  You will see that you can go from making excuses to making positive progress.

Remember, when talking to yourself or to others, the words you choose to use can make an enormous difference. Strive to look for ways to make your language more consistently positive.  I guarantee you that it will have a positive effect on your actions and ultimately on the quality of results you achieve.

Convince Yourself...

You know yourself better than anyone else. You know what it will take to get you going. If you can convince yourself to do something it will be done. All of the abilities and resources you need can become available to you in one way or another, given enough focused desire. You accomplishment is largely a matter of directing your will.

You must truly convince yourself, without the slightest doubt or hesitancy. Then, and only then, will it happen. The challenge of truly convincing yourself is the primary obstacle which stands between you and whatever you desire. Yet you have everything you need to traverse it.

After all, you’re skilled at convincing others. You’ve done it all your life from your first cries which convinced your parents to feed you. And if you can convince someone else to act in your best interest, surely you can convince yourself.

So make the effort and really do it. Direct the formidable force that is your will. You know yourself better than anyone else. You know what it will take to get you going. Use that knowledge to your advantage. Convince yourself and it will most certainly happen.

Be Nice to Yourself

When was the last time you did something nice for yourself? I challenge you to make it a point to do something today for someone special, someone whom you often take for granted, someone who deserves your full and complete support -- yourself!

When you are good to yourself it is not being selfish. It doesn’t mean you must ignore others. What it does mean is that it makes you able to offer more value to the other people in your world when you take good care of yourself. When you put yourself down it is of no benefit to anyone. When you help yourself to grow and build you will find that you have provided yourself with more to give.

So, today choose to be positive with yourself. Be kind and generous with yourself. Ask yourself again, when was the last time you did something nice for yourself? Let me encourage you.  You deserve some special attention. Be good to yourself and that goodness will overflow into the world and the people around you.

No Time for Stressing...

Does it seem that stress has taken permanent residence in your life?  I think it is time you served stress an eviction notice. The stress you experience is not caused by the things that happen around you. Your stress comes from the way you react to those things that happen. The thoughts you choose to hold in your mind will determine the amount of stress you have. 

To experience less stress, you do not need to undertake some grand project that will change the world around you. It is very simple.  Begin to simply observe and adjust the way you respond to life.

The things that really upset you are able to get to you because you allow them to do so. Yes, you have a choice.  Maybe not a choice in stopping them from happening, yet you can absolutely choose not to obsess over them.  Not to let them stress you out.

Your stress may indeed be telling you that you need to take some action or another. But after you receive the message, there is no need to continue holding on to the stress.  It's all about taking action and deflecting the stress.

Reducing your stress is as easy as re-directing the focus of your thoughts. The more you practice doing it, the more quickly and naturally it comes.

Remember, the thoughts you choose to hold in your mind will determine the amount of stress you have. So choose to leave the stress behind, and put your energy into positive, fulfilling pursuits.

It's Your Dream...

We all have a dream.  Somewhere in you is a dream. Isn’t it time you truly listen to what it has to say? It’s probably buried deep under all the day-to-day concerns, yet somewhere in you it lives.

It’s probably not at all practical, and it’s probably a little outrageous. Even so, it energizes your spirit like nothing else can.  It is your dream.

It rises to the surface every now and then. When it does, it takes you away and you touch that place where everything seems possible. It is your dream.

Then you let your dream sink back down under the surface of your awareness. And there it waits, patiently, never losing its hope or its luster.  Waiting for you to revisit it again.

Your dream, as crazy and impractical as it may seem, is trying to tell you something. Your dream, with its promise that you all too quickly, all too often dismiss, wants to tell you who you are.

Isn’t it time you truly listen to what your dream has to say? It is time to begin following that dream, and live the purpose with which you’re blessed.  After all, it is your dream, so follow it.

Angelic Thoughts...

Don't be Arrogant...

Do you think you know it all?  Do you spend all your time and energy thinking and talking about yourself?  Did you know that arrogance is a sure sign of weakness and ineffectiveness. When you think you know it all, you prevent yourself from learning new and valuable things. 

When you spend all your time and energy boasting about yourself, there’s no time remaining for true achievement. When you think you’re more important than others, you quickly lose the respect of everyone. 

Genuine humility is an undeniable sign of true strength and confidence. Strive to let go of the need to impress others, and you will see that you can begin to be truly impressive.

Begin to live, speak and act with humility, and your efforts will begin to be vastly more effective. There will be no time or energy wasted on propping up your own ego, and you can get many valuable things accomplished when you take the focus off of yourself.

Humility brings you respect and fosters mutual understanding. Imagine what a positive difference that can make in your life and your world if you start to practice humility.

When your life is filled with true strength and genuine richness, you have no need to boast. Begin to live with humility, and your life will be full indeed.

Time is Yours

Where has the time gone? Time is yours in which to live, to grow, to love and to experience. The more of it you know, the richer you become. Time has not gone but has been going, and continues to go into making you who you are. The moments and hours, months and years seem to pass by at an ever-quickening pace. Time is filling you up, not passing you by.

You are busy becoming who you will become, and expressing who you are. As time moves past it is never lost, but woven forever into the fabric of your life, into your moments.

It is never too early and it is never too late to fully live the moment that is here right now. So cherish it.  The more you make of it, the more valuable it will always be to you.

The clock keeps on ticking, and what it measures is not what you are losing but what you are continuing to gain. You always have the opportunity to make moments.  Use this day, this week, this month and this year even better than the last.  Make it better than before.  Remember, time is yours in which to live, to grow, to love and to experience. The more of it you’ve know, the richer you become.

God knew....

Expect the Unexpected...

Why are you where you are right now?  Think about it.  There was an incredible series of coincidences that have led you to where you are today.  There have been many moments that seemed insignificant at the time, that ended up altering the course of your life in a major way. Look at you now!  Perhaps it was someone you met, who introduced you to someone else, through whom you met someone with you right now. Perhaps it was a party you attended, and someone you talked to, who knew someone else, who was responsible for where you are right now.
You never know who or what will come your way, or how they will come. Things happen in the most unexpected ways, but everything happens for a reason. People come into your life, and lead you to other people, who lead you to other people, places and things, and so on. Just think that person standing in line behind you, sitting beside you, or talking to you on the phone might just hold your future in his hands.
That’s why it’s so important to not be closed minded.  You must be open to new ideas, new people, and new experiences. When you sit idle and closed mind all the time, you will find that life-changing opportunities will rarely come your way. So  challenge you to get yourself out, start circulating among people, start doing things, start exchanging ideas and participating in your life. Opportunities come in abundance your way each day...you just have to be open to them.

Angelic Thoughts...

Embrace Your Challenges...

Are you being as effective as you can be?  If you haven’t been you know you can be.  It will only take a difficult challenge to change that. Why?  Because the challenge will leave you with no other choice.  A challenge is a chance to jump up to a higher level of performance. I So strive to take that opportunity and run with it.

Yes, it’s inconvenient.  Yes, it's uncomfortable.  Yes, it's just plain hard work. But think of what will happen when you choose to run out and embrace it.

You’ll make yourself stronger.  You will become more capable.  You will find yourself with greater discipline, focus and effectiveness. Not only will you create something of great value, you’ll find yourself to be perfectly positioned to create even greater value on top of that.

You run faster when you’re chasing after something, or when there’s something chasing you. You’ll discover that you can do it.  You’ll discover how great it feels to give your very best.

So the next time a challenge jolts you awake, jump out of your slumber and hit the ground running. Be pleasantly amazed.   Embrace those challenges.  Use them to push yourself forward towards where you ou can take yourself when there’s a challenge pushing you forward.

Seeds of Life

You have heard it numerous times that you reap what you sow.  It's also true that whatever you feed, grows.  Life is full of seeds, some good and some bad.  This same life is constantly sprouting new possibilities. During each day, many and various influences will fall upon the fertile ground of your consciousness. The quality of your life depends on which of those influences you allow to take hold and grow. I suggest that you strive to select them wisely.

If you nourish the seeds of anger, violence, envy and resentment, then thorny, tangled stalks will soon spring up all around you. Your life will be full of drama, stress and foolishness.  If instead you nurture the seeds of love, hope, kindness, creativity and joy; you will experience a life of peace, happiness, and laughter.  You will see a lush and lovely garden begin to flower in your life.

I challenge you to choose in each moment to nourish those seeds that will in turn grow to nourish and support you. Strive to hold on to and build those influences that will bring value, meaning, richness and fulfillment to your life.

Follow those possibilities that are the most positive and meaningful. You will begin to make the garden of your life a beautiful, peaceful and productive place.

Your Troubles

Trouble is a part of everybody's life at one time or another. When troubles comes your way, make an effort to respond by making a mental list of the good things in your life. Choose to let your troubles remind you of your blessings. Challenge yourself to focus your attention on the positive influences and possibilities in your life and away from the trouble.

No matter how difficult the situation, that difficulty will always be outweighed by the goodness to which you are connected. Each and every good thing in your life that you choose to call to mind will help to melt away the anxiety and strengthen your sense of peaceful purpose. By making a mental list, you’ll quickly realize that they are far too numerous to ever completely count.

Strive to turn your attention to the things of real value with which you are blessed. You will find it will illuminate new possibilities and inject positive energy into your efforts.

When you start to think of one thing for which you can be thankful, you will see that it leads you right to another, and another, and yet another. That kind of thinking will point you out of the darkness and into the light. 

So choose today to focus on the real abundance in your life. You will find your loving attention will make that abundance grow and your trouble will die.