Focus on Abundance

A couple of years ago, I found a book in the library called Simple Abundance by Sarah Ban Breathnack. I've since found my own copy in a used book store. Think about the following quote:
"When you focus on abundance rather than lack in your life, you will be designing a wonderful new blue print for the future"

I read a passage daily. Changing one's thought process (how we look at life and what we tell ourselves) is a slow process. I have noticed as my viewpoint shift, my life has moved closer to where I want it. In fact I am often amazed at the many unexpected "gifts" I have received. Basically, the more I focus on hats good in my life and am thankful-the better it gets.

Have, Do, Be...

Here is my Have, Do, Be Exercise: In my lifetime I want to have...
my own business
own a home (at the beach)
a beautiful garden-pick fresh veggies daily
a family car & a car of my own (convertible)
hot pink motorcycle
loving, honest partner
health, happiness and stability for my children
simple, uncluttered home-a place for everything and everything in it's place
sewing studio
simple wardrobe
During my lifetime I want to do...
drive a motorhome around the United States
go to Hawaii and lounge on the beach
Visit Europe-see more of it this time
take up yoga
bellydance again-not be afraid to dance in front of people
visit relatives & friends who live far away
write a book
learn French
be independent-be able to take care of myself and children even if I don't have to
During my lifetime I want to be...
honest-not afraid to communicate(no more walls)
independent
fearless-not let fear keep me from taking action
giving-find ways to give back and not fear lack in doing so

Clarify Your Values

What do you value most in your life? What exactly is a value? A value is how we wish to conduct ourselves; an ideal of how we should behave. Can you easily express your values? Here is a fun exercise to try...It is called the Have, Do, Be Exercise: Take out a piece of paper and write as many answers as you can to the following:
In my life, I want to have...
In my life, I want to do...
In my life, I want to be...(these can be character traits)
Your lists will most likely contain themes or similarities. These are clues to what you value!

The Biggest Lesson

What is the biggest lesson to learn in life? Is it learning to let go of fear? I think fear is our biggest obstacle to overcome. It stops us dead in our tracts; not taking action when we should. Not listening to the voice in our head that tells us what we know we should do. How do we get past fear? Simple. Take action. Easier said than done. Now what? Break it down into 'baby' steps. "Tiny choices mean tiny changes, but it is only with infinitesimal change, changes so small no one else even realizes you're making them, that you have the hope for transformation. " -Leo Tolstoy

What Brings You Joy?

Number your paper from 1 to 100. Start writing down everything you can think of that brings joy to your life. You may not finish this list right away, but keep working at it. The first time I started this list, my life was in such disarray that I could only think of 10 things to put on my list. I made a point of trying to include these activities in my life each day. My life began improving and I continued to add items to my list. I lost my original lists; here's the start of a new one...
1. Hot bubble baths
2. Sitting in the sunshine, feeling the warmth on your skin
3. Candlelight
4. Burning incense
5. A cat sleeping on my lap
6. Holding hands with my sweetheart
7. Kissing
8. Watching my kids having fun
9. Listening to the ocean waves crash on the beach
10.Cold, crisp nights
11. Watching a lightning storm
12. Listening to the rain from bed
13. The smell of homemade bread baking
14. Eating hot, homemade bread
15. The sound of wind chimes outside my bedroom window
16. Blasting music while cleaning house
17. Silence
18. Sunsets
19. Sunrises
20. Eating breakfast outside
21. Picnics
22. Gazing at the stars
23. Napping in a hammock
24. Solitary car trips
25. The dirt between my fingers and toes when pulling weeds

Start your list today. Keep adding to it. What brings you joy in your life?

No More Problems

Thought for the day: If you view your problems as opportunities, you will have no more problems! Take some time to really think about this. Everything that happens to you; how you think and feel, comes down to your viewpoint. How you look at your life? Do you have a positive or negative attitude; the glass half empty or half full? What about the people you spend time with, what's their attitude like? Just take some time to contemplate. Working on changing your viewpoint is the first step to making changes in your life.