Impossible is Just a Word

Everyone, at some point of his or her life, has dreamed of being somebody special, somebody big. Who hasn’t fantasized about being the one who hits the game-winning homer? Who hasn’t dreamed of being the homecoming queen? And how many times have we dreamed of being rich, or successful, or happy with our relationships?

Often, we dream big dreams and have great aspirations. Unfortunately, our dreams remain just that – dreams. And our aspirations easily collect dust in our attic.

This is a sad turn of events in our life. Instead of experiencing exciting adventures in self actualization, we get caught up in the humdrum of living from day-to-day just barely existing.

But you know what? Life could be so much better, if only we learned to aim higher.

The most common problem to setting goals is the word impossible. Most people get hung up thinking I can’t do this. It’s too hard. It’s too impossible. No one can do this.

However, if everyone thought that, there would be no inventions, no innovations, and no breakthroughs in human accomplishment.

Remember that scientists were baffled when they took a look at the humble bumblebee. Theoretically, they said, it was impossible for the bumblebee to fly. Fortunately for the bumble bee no one has told it so. So fly it does.

On the other hand, some people suffer from dreaming totally outrageous dreams and not acting on them. The result? Broken dreams, and tattered aspirations.

If you limit yourself with self-doubt, and self-limiting assumptions, you will never be able to break past what you deem impossible. If you reach too far out into the sky without working towards your goal, you will find yourself clinging on to the impossible dream.

Try this exercise. Take a piece of paper and write down some goals in your life. Under one header, list down things ‘you know you can do’. Under another header, write the things ‘you might be able to do.’ And under one more, list the things that that are ‘impossible for you to do.’

Now look at all the headers strive every day to accomplish the goals that are under things ‘you know you can do’. Check them when you are able to accomplish them. As you slowly are able to check all of your goals under that heading, try accomplishing the goals under the other header-the one that reads ‘you might be able to do.’

As of the items you wrote under things I could do are accomplished, you can move the goals that are under things that are ‘impossible for you to do’ to the list of things ‘you might be able to do.’

As you iterate through this process, you will find out that the goals you thought were impossible become easier to accomplish. And the impossible begin to seem possible after all.

You see, the technique here is not to limit your imagination. It is to aim high, and start working towards that goal little by little. However, it also is unwise to set a goal that is truly unrealistic.

Those who just dream towards a goal without working hard end up disappointed and disillusioned.

On the other hand, if you told someone a hundred years ago that it was possible for man to be on the moon, they would laugh at you. If you had told them that you could send mail from one side of the world to the other a few seconds, they would have said you were out of your mind. But, through sheer desire and perseverance, these impossible dreams are now realities.

So dream on, friend! Don’t get caught up with your perceived limitations. Think big and work hard to attain those dreams. As you step up the ladder of progress, you will just about find out that the impossible has just become a little bit more possible.

Visualization techniques have been demonstrated to improve physical and mental health, speed the healing
process, and effectively manage pain. They can also help prevent illness, reduce stress, and increase an
individual’s overall health and well-being.

Different visualization techniques can be used in the treatment of stress, and stress related illness. For
general Stress Management, begin by identifying where in the body you feel the stress. Do you have muscle
tension in the back and neck? Is your stomach ”knotted”? Do you experience a dull or throbbing
headache? Different people experience stress in different ways.

Once you have identified where in the body you experience stress you can use visualization techniques
to reduce the stress, as well as the physical symptoms and effects you experience while under stress.

One useful visualization technique involves placing your hand over the affected area of your body. Breathe
deeply, with your eyes closed. Feel your heart rate slow to a calm and steady pace.

Visualize the stress in your mind as an image, with size shape and form. It may appear as a black ball
which is located in the area of your body that you feel stress.

It may also appear in another form, such as a square, circle, rectangle etc… As you concentrate on the image
of the stress (which may or may not be accompanied by physical pain) visualize (or picture yourself) moving
the image.

It may not happen right away, but keep working at it, until you can get the image to move. Even the smallest
movement is an accomplishment. As you begin to be able to move the image, be aware that you have control of it, and more importantly, know that IT does not have control over you.

Visualize the image that symbolizes your stress moving further and further away from its original location,
until eventually you are able to remove it completely from your body.

Another technique along this same line is to visualize the stress you are feeling, and imagine that it is
getting smaller, and smaller. Eventually the image will shrink to a tiny spot, and then disappear all
together. This technique is very powerful in helping to manage the physical symptoms that result from
stress.

You must be determined to improve your self esteem, to achieve great things in life. Low self esteem can ruin a person’s life. It all boils down to ‘what’ and ‘how’ you have trained your mind to think.

The way you think about yourself determines how you interact with others. It can also affect how others think about you. When you show others that you lack confidence in what you do or say, it raises questions within their minds. I mean, why should they trust what you do or say, when you obviously don’t trust yourself.

People can have low self esteem for many reasons. Here are some of the common reasons or should I say ‘thoughts’ that encourage and create low self esteem:

1. Nothing you do seems to go right

2. You believe that most people do not like you.

3. You believe that you are not attractive.

4. You choose something and it turns out to be the worst choice you could have made.

5. You are afraid to converse with others for fear that what you say might not make sense.

6. You feel swallowed up in a whirlpool of frustration.

What’s wrong with you, you might ask yourself? The answer to that question is quite easily answered - Your thoughts.

Stop thinking that the world is closing in on you or out to get you. Get determined instead, to achieve what you desire. Stop blaming other people for your misfortunes. The world is not your problem, you are your own problem.

From this moment on, begin the process of self esteem improvement. Think the right way and be determined to win, and win you will. Just remember that success never comes easily and that is why determination is its counterpart.

Oftentimes, one gets to the brink of success and with just a little disappointment or setback, they lose heart and give up too easily and too soon. A surefire candidate to low self esteem improvement. Who knows what great things might have been achieved if only they had persevered.

Without a high self esteem, your life could be rather boring. Change your thinking and begin to see yourself on top of the world. Make a very special effort to be what you really want to be.

You have to seriously decide either to remain in a miserable state of low self esteem, or acquire self esteem improvement and develop a high self esteem with good character and self image.

The origin of low self esteem.

A low self esteem could begin way back in childhood when children are made to believe that they are worthless. Their self confidence is eroded and they succumb to the idea that they can never achieve success in anything that they do. They were picked on, laughed at, pushed around, called ugly names, and treated with disdain. No wonder they grew up to be full of resentment.

If that was your experience, it is time you cut yourself loose from that mindset and do self esteem improvement. Start reading about the life of successful persons and you will soon discover that many of them had such low self esteem that they could not even complete an elementary education.

Many decided to override their low self esteem and improve their attitude, whatever it took. They became some of the greatest men and women that ever lived.

Low self esteem has never helped anyone else and it sure will not help you. It can only drive you into depression, anger, grudge, fear and all the other evils that it generates.

Re-program your thinking and control your state of mind. You must believe that you are worth much more than you think or you will remain at the foot of the ladder and never make an attempt to climb it.

Do not waste your life away with feelings of inadequacies. Instead, think of ways to go about self esteem improvement. Success is yours, just reach out and grasp it.

A great way of self improvement is through spiritual development. It’s a challenge this day in age, but self improvement comes via challenge, right? Spiritual development brings enlightenment, peace of mind, and better understanding of ourselves as well as others.

To grow spiritually in a world defined by power, money, and influence is a Herculean task. Modern conveniences such as electronic equipments, gadgets, and tools as well as entertainment through television, magazines, and the web have predisposed us to confine our attention mostly to physical needs and wants. As a result, our concepts of self-worth and self-meaning are muddled. How can we strike a balance between the material and spiritual aspects of our lives?

To grow spiritually is to look inward.

Introspection goes beyond recalling the things that happened in a day, week, or month. You need to look closely and reflect on your thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and motivations. Periodically examining your experiences, the decisions you make, the relationships you have, and the things you engage in provide useful insights on your life goals, on the good traits you must sustain and the bad traits you have to discard. Moreover, it gives you clues on how to act, react, and conduct yourself in the midst of any situation. Like any skill, introspection can be learned; all it takes is the courage and willingness to seek the truths that lie within you. Here are some pointers when you introspect: be objective, be forgiving of yourself, and focus on your areas for improvement.

To grow spiritually is to develop your potentials.

Religion and science have differing views on matters of the human spirit. Religion views people as spiritual beings temporarily living on Earth, while science views the spirit as just one dimension of an individual.

Mastery of the self is a recurring theme in both Christian (Western) and Islamic (Eastern) teachings. The needs of the body are recognized but placed under the needs of the spirit. Beliefs, values, morality, rules, experiences, and good works provide the blueprint to ensure the growth of the spiritual being. In Psychology, realizing one’s full potential is to self-actualize.

Maslow identified several human needs: physiological, security, belongingness, esteem, cognitive, aesthetic, self-actualization, and self-transcendence.  When you have satisfied the basic physiological and emotional needs, spiritual or existential needs come next. Achieving each need leads to the total development of the individual.

Perhaps the difference between these two religions and psychology is the end of self-development: Christianity and Islam see that self-development is a means toward serving God, while psychology view that self-development is an end by itself.

To grow spiritually is to search for meaning.

Religions that believe in the existence of God such as Christianity, Judaism, and Islam suppose that the purpose of the human life is to serve the Creator of all things. Several theories in psychology propose that we ultimately give meaning to our lives.

Whether we believe that life’s meaning is pre-determined or self-directed, to grow in spirit is to realize that we do not merely exist. We do not know the meaning of our lives at birth; but we gain knowledge and wisdom from our interactions with people and from our actions and reactions to the situations we are in. As we discover this meaning, there are certain beliefs and values that we reject and affirm.  Our lives have purpose. This purpose puts all our physical, emotional, and intellectual potentials into use; sustains us during trying times; and gives us something to look forward to—a goal to achieve, a destination to reach. A person without purpose or meaning is like a drifting ship at sea.

To grow spiritually is to recognize interconnections.

Religions stress the concept of our relatedness to all creation, live and inanimate. Thus we call other people “brothers and sisters” even if there are no direct blood relations. Moreover, deity-centered religions such as Christianity and Islam speak of the relationship between humans and a higher being.

On the other hand, science expounds on our link to other living things through the evolution theory. This relatedness is clearly seen in the concept of ecology, the interaction between living and non-living things. In psychology, connectedness is a characteristic of self-transcendence, the highest human need according to Maslow. Recognizing your connection to all things makes you more humble and respectful of people, animals, plants, and things in nature. It makes you appreciate everything around you. It moves you to go beyond your comfort zone and reach out to other people, and become stewards of all other things around you.

Growth is a process thus to grow in spirit is a day-to-day encounter. We win some, we lose some, but the important thing is that we learn, and from this knowledge, further spiritual growth is made possible.

Do you believe in Karma or Fate? Karma, the belief that “You reap what you sow” may have originated with Buddhism or Jainism, but you don’t have to be of either belief to believe in Karma. Fate, on the other hand, is the belief that a “predetermined and inevitable outcome or ending” will occur; and you have no control to change this usually grim course of ending. And if you believe in karma, does that mean you must believe in fate also?

Personally, I believe both are valid concepts reliant upon each other, yet exist independently as well. While there will always be circumstances beyond our control, I do believe we have the ability to change our fate with the practice of karmic belief when it comes to much of our life.

Fate,  while considered a predetermined or inevitable ending, offers choices and variables in my opinion. The choices create the variables to what those endings inevitability become. Rather than having no choice on how any given event might end, I believe we change our fate through the karma we create by our thoughts and actions - or lack thereof. This brings many variables into each circumstance or event. Karma results from those choices and in essence determines what our fate is to become.

So while fate might appear to be predetermined, I believe it offers more than one option as an outcome. It might be true in some situations that fate will have its way no matter what we do; but more often than not, I think we are given our choice of what our fate will become. Or at the very least - how we arrive there. Which still leaves choices. Because how we arrive there will also effect the end result of ‘who’ we become. But, don’t just take my word for this. Prove it to yourself whether karma and/or fate really exist or not.

A simple process, for experimental purposes, can test the credibility of both Karma and Fate. By simply asking yourself a few questions, the answers will come with absolute results one cannot deny. So, let’s put this to the test, shall we? But, before we get started, grab a sheet of paper and a writing instrument. Draw a vertical line down the center of the page, the starting point of which should be about an inch from top of page. [NOTE: For "Cause and Effect" thinkers who claim to discount karma and/or fate, I have a challenge for you as well.]

• Think about a past event in your life, where no matter what you did or tried, you could not achieve the results you desired. Title the page with this event [to which you have good memory] you thought was predetermined, fate.
• Then think about the actions you took in your attempt to achieve the outcome you desired. Log those actions on the left side (column 1) of the paper.
• Now I want you to think about the actions you did not take or discounted for one reason or another and log those on the right side (column 2)
• Using your best logical reasoning, hypothesize the probable outcome of column 2. Column 2 might even result in more than one hypotheses.

Here is something else to consider while you are at it: Have you ever done something selfish you knew was wrong yet did it anyway? Only to have someone else do the very same thing to you - at some point later? Did the thought of karma pass through your mind? A “poetic justice” so to speak? Did you question if things would have turned out differently, had you not taken selfish action?

Two people of same intellect are given the same task to complete. Both have the same set of instructions, tools, and resources on how to accomplish this. To which each adheres to - in identical order and fashion. Yet one will succeed while the other fails. How can this happen under the theory of cause and effect?

The only logical conclusion one can come to - will result in giving credence to both Karma and Fate. What do you think? Weigh in with your comments below. I am always open to alternate theories and beliefs.

Or do you fall into the ‘irony’ category of casual thinkers when it comes to critical thinking? Giving only casual or routine thought to the term? Even some critical thinkers will find themselves falling prey to this type thought processing over time.

Critical thinking is the use of cognitive skills to interpret and evaluate any given set of facts or evidence to achieve or produce a desired outcome.

The term ‘critical thinking‘ is: a.) the thought process used to analyze with, b.) an intellectually disciplined process, and c.) through reflective judgment to disseminate the various options and potential outcomes. While this sounds confusing or complex, it is merely - giving cognizant thought to diseminate the facts and possible solutions, rather than casual or routine thought with the usual assumptions.

Critical thinking involves [at least] three skill sets:

1. Attitude of an open mind [receptive] to all possible conclusions, based on facts you possess and those yet unknown that you must disseminate. To preclude any given piece of information or fact, will never be a dynamic of critical thinking. Only through logical reasoning can one eliminate information. So the attitude of a mind ‘open’ to all possibilities, unless and until proven otherwise, is prerequisite for critical thinking.

2. Logical reasoning methods that either prove or eliminate potentials [without assumption], their implications and consequences, through gathering and assessing all relevant information to come to well-reasoned conclusions or solutions - through the process of elimination.

You can hone your logical reasoning skills by exercising your brain with logic and sudoku puzzles. Logic puzzles are wonderful exercise for the brain to become efficient in deducing facts. Sudoku puzzles will exercise your brain power in ‘elimination’ processing of facts. Over time, the brain becomes better trained to think with logical reasoning through the power of deduction and elimination, making the process less challenging. (Please see the example and solution below)

EXAMPLE LOGICAL REASONING:

Jill developed an interest in making her own jewelry and decided to test her ability with three initial products, one of which is a pair of earrings. Using a different color stone for each piece, found in a different area, while she was walking through the local park.

From the above information and the following clues, determine which stone was used in each of the three pieces of jewelry and where that stone was found:

1. Jill doesn’t plan to use the black stone to make a necklace

2. The green stone was found near the walking path

3. The stone that Jill plans to use in a bracelet was near the swings

4. The blue stone wasn’t found near the pond

SOLUTION:

We know there are three stones [one each]: black, green, and blue. We know the three pieces of jewelry are a necklace, bracelet, and a pair of earrings. The three locations where the stones were found are: the walking path, swings, and the pond.

We know the green stone was found near the walking path [clue 2] and the blue stone wasn’t found near the pond [clue 4], so the black stone was found by the pond. The blue stone [by elimination] had to be found by the swings and was used to make a bracelet [clue 3]. We know [clue 1] the necklace was not made with the black stone, so the black stone had to be used [deduced] in the earrings. Leaving [by elimination] the green stone to be used in the necklace.

Thus, we can conclude, through logical deduction the following stones, pieces, and locations Jill found them:

1. Black stone, earrings, pond

2. Blue stone, bracelet, swings

3. Green stone, necklace, walking path

3. Ability to recognize core issues and resolutions: Reading comprehension, writing, speaking, and listening skills without undue influence of prior thought concepts and conclusions are required elements of this skill. Raising vital questions clearly and concisely, testing the viability of theories with the allowance of new possibilities, will require the utilization of all your language skills.

The ability to recognize core issues of any problem, evaluate their potentials, argue their values, and assess the needs for those desired outcomes with alternate systems - will clarify the possible resolutions.

In summary, critical thinking can be mastered with the attitude of an open mind, logical reasoning, and the ability to recognize core issues with [solutions for] desired results.

A vital skill in becoming an effective communicator is the ability to listen. Listening skills are not taught in school, and sadly are largely undeveloped skills in many people. To listen effectively is a powerful skill that can be learned and practiced. You will gain more respect and esteem through listening rather than through talking.

There is however, a great difference between hearing and listening. Hearing refers to the physical dimension of the sound waves striking the ear and the brain processing them into meaningful information. Listening however, involves far more than the hearing process. It incorporates paying attention and focusing with the intention of understanding and responding appropriately.

The most basic of all human needs is the need to understand and to be understood. The best way to understand people is to listen to them. Not only that, but when people feel that you have really listened to them, you will gain their respect and they will value and give you the credibility to speak.

Consider how you feel when you sense someone is really listening to what you have to say. You feel good, you feel understood, and more connected to the person who is listening. The fact that they are interested in hearing what you say gives value to your worth and creates a connection.

One important element of listening is the ability to attend.

Attending is the process where we focus in on a message and filter out others that are distracting. It is to be able to focus on what the person is saying, and filter out all the other things that may be happening at the same time. Someone once said (his name was anonymous) that the reason history repeats itself is because no one was listening the first time.

We must filter out all distractions and focus on the words, in the manner of which they are spoken. Taking note of inflections and pauses, in order to absorb the full impact of the message someone is trying to convey!

One of the biggest distractions to attending is our desire to talk

The desire to talk is so strong that while the other person is talking we can be thinking about what we are going to say next, and waiting for an opportunity to speak. As we focus on what we are going to say or interject, our attention goes from what the person is saying to our own thoughts. Although appearing to be interested and attentive, we can easily be distracted by our thoughts or something else that may be happening at the same time. At that point perhaps we do fall into merely hearing and not listening. Our mind’s attention has drifted onto other things and is no longer intent on understanding and responding.

True listening is a skill which needs to be learned and practiced, because the mind functions seven times more quickly than it is possible to speak. Therefore the mind needs to be slowed down and focused on what the person is saying, and not pay attention to other irrelevant thoughts or distractions.

The power of listening is a way of building rapport and connecting with people. Asking or answering questions only during those periods of inflection and pause, as they pertain to the conversation.  Rather than interjecting your own thoughts, attend the speaker’s words.

I have used this strategy and was amazed at the results. Not only have the questions given me a greater understanding of the person, but through actively listening to people without commenting or putting my 2 cents worth in, they have experienced encouragement and a sense of connectedness. I now make sure that I ask questions and listen more, rather than just speaking my own thoughts.

If you are having a difficult time following their thoughts, ask them to elaborate or ask them to explain in more detail - then just listen and attend their words closely - resisting the urge to interrupt.

And at the end of the conversation, you might just hear them saying, “That was the best conversation I’ve had in a long time.” Who knows, you just might learn something new, in addition to honing your listening skills.

I have always believed you can overcome anything and everything you set your mind to. And as long as your motives were good, life would be good too. Yet, my life was always filled with some type of life crisis.

The past several weeks, I have been spending my time asking myself a very stupid [in the end] question: Why is my life filled with grief, when I try so hard to do right by others - give so much of myself? Still not reaching a point of self pity, yet obsessed with having the answer to that question - the light bulb finally lit up! My God, how could I have been so blind and stupid to boot? Five little words, how can they effect so much of my life? One precept, controlling so much!

That realization has had such an impact, I knew I had to share what I had learned. My life will never be the same again. But first, let me share some of the dynamics of my mind and thinking process.

I’ve always had a positive outlook on life and each time life dealt a bad blow [so to speak], survival instinct always kicked in automatically. Yet, for as positive as my mindset, my life remained a ’soap opera drama’ of challenges that rivaled any story of fiction one could dream up.

I watched others give up when faced with less challenge. Never accepting defeat myself, I have managed to land on my feet each time. Yet, the dramas of life never stopped. Each time I would automatically fight the good fight, until I ‘righted’ each wrong only to find myself facing another fight.

My strength is drawn on my belief of the “Supreme” power and if God brings you to it, he will bring you through it and reward good effort with [at the least] peace of mind. Peace of mind? I have known that [peace of mind] for very brief periods of time. Unfortunately, my peace of mind never seemed to last very long, before I had to face yet another long, mind bending challenge/good fight.

With the belief that I can do anything I set my mind to, there lingered a hidden fear in the dark recesses of my mind … was my course of action the best and least harmful solution? Am I doing something I don’t consciously acknowledge that brings these drama situations to my doorstep? For all the good I try to do, it seems fate brings too many hardships and heartaches into my life.

I was winning the battles, but becoming to tired to handle the wars. So, what was the problem? What was I doing that was so wrong? Why couldn’t I live a ‘normal’ life with only the occasional small problems that it seems all others around me were living?

For years my friends and associates told me my problem was the fact that I refused to ask others for help in my times of need. “It’s too much for one person O’Della, you have to learn how to ask others for help!” or they would tell me, “Don’t ask IF others will help you, TELL them you need their help - demand it!”

So, I broke down and spilled my heart out, baring my very soul. Each person/organization always responding with “I wish there were something I could do to help, but my hands are tied.” Everyone stressed though, that I should and could not give up. It was up to me to persist and fight, continue to ask for help - until I received what I needed.

Each time I tried this approach, I always found all others absent during the times of battle. It was me against the world, but for the grace of God. I have always asserted the knowledge, that when I look behind me and see only one set of foot prints - I thank God for carrying me when I no longer had the strength to walk.

Yet, while I had that knowledge, I missed the most important lesson God was trying to teach me. And while others have made comments on my determination and strength, saying they would have given up if faced with the same situation - my response was always the same: “I keep telling God he has way too much confidence in me!”

Many times I have cried myself to sleep, asking God’s forgiveness for any wrong doings I might have done - begging God to give me the strength, determination, and love in heart to do what had to be done. Analyzing my motives, actions, words - everything you can think of - trying to figure out what I was doing to earn this ill favor from God, that my life was so filled with heartache and hardship.

Five little words kept repeating in my mind, and passing my lips - throughout my life. Yet, I never analyzed them closely or considered the weight they carried. Eureka! How could something [considered] so silly have such a dramatic impact on my life? Are you ready for this? It really is that simple. What are those five words?

First, let me state: God’s word is always true and he does hear our pleas of help. God also proves his word is true when we dare to doubt them. For as firm as my beliefs where, I still had [secret] doubts. Not in God - but in my own abilities. And therein lies the irony.

“I’m not that strong God!” Those five little words - in essence, I was challenging God and his promise: His Word, against my own words and thoughts. God knows our strength, even when we don’t. And, we raise the question with our own doubts, invoking God’s response. If we dare to doubt, he will supply the proof we need - showing again and again, if needed: He does not challenge us to face anything alone or with anything less than we need to “Overcome anything and everything” life presents.

But wait, it gets even better once you realize there is a sure way to decipher the answers to any question life presents. Whether it’s a question of self improvement, which career to choose or how to find success in life, you possess the knowledge. You only need to learn how to tap into that knowledge and put it to good use.

Do you owe it to others, to share or reward good measure? Are you one of those people who give, then give some more, only to feel like you are being taken advantage of by others? If so, take advantage of my free member subscription now [while you still can] for access to this future article posting.

Until next time …

Positive thinking “Your seven days in 7 ways program to Enlightenment”

Do you have a bright idea hidden somewhere in the back of your mind? Something that you just can’t wait to test out. We all have bright ideas. So what motivates one person to churn those creative, or even inspiring juices to fruitation? While others will only ‘play’ with the ideas in their heads?

Setting personal goals can accomplish maximum results in record time. Maybe mowing the lawn before sitting down to watch the big game on TV. Balancing your bank account before you budget the current month’s bills. Or organizing that closet. A positive attitude in whatever you do, will make things easier and most often — enjoyable.

Thinking big is the American Way and that’s what made our country prosperous. But, for too many people, thinking big is nothing more than dreaming. So, to them I say, “So long and while it’s been nice knowing you, I’m moving on to higher ground.”

When we view anything in life in a negative light, that is what will follow. We find success in the things we do when the precept and expectation is for a positive result. Ergo, positivity begets positivity and negativity begets negativity. If one starts out with the expectation of failure, that is what they will find as the end result. Enlightenment comes with the ideas of an open mind.

Here’s a few tips to make the most of your day — throughout the week. Even when we’re just sitting in our favorite easy chair our mind is still hard at work. Ideas take time to form. And while we appear to be sitting idle, doing nothing, these ideas are spinning the gears of our mind. Sometimes, when we least expect it, we find the solutions to problems or answers to make our ideas reality.

1. Take passionate action towards living your life by design. Talk is cheap, but action is the equivalent of ‘deposits’ in the bank account of a passionately authentic future. Without action, passion is void.

This is a perfect example of ‘where dreams are made of’ by tinkering with your mind, rather then with your hands. Until you dream it, it cannot begin the process of becoming a reality. And if the idea weakens, you can always go back to it later with a fresh view.

2. Commit to yourself [as well as those you love] to create a powerful ‘life’ you can love and actually enjoy living. Instead of reacting, commit to creating from your heart and soul, out of love rather than fear. The American Dream will always be there, but a dream will still be a dream if it never gets put into motion. Be amazed in your ability to achieve and let the transformation begin.

3. Recognize and embrace the thought that each moment is perfect regardless of its outcome. Every time you hit on something that may appear too extreme, why not give it a shot anyway, it just might work. In fact, you might be pleasantly surprised to see there are other ways to get the task done. There’s more than one way to peel a potato. If you are not pleased with the outcome, decide to use that moment to learn and make the appropriate shift.

4. Dwell in a complete state of gratitude. Learn to utilize what you have in your hands and make use of it in the most constructive way. Slipping into neediness will become less of a habit when you repeatedly shift towards gratitude and away from poverty consciousness.

5. Use a Passion Formula of “Recognize/Reevaluate/Restore” in place of “Shoulda/Woulda/Coulda.” The former is based on increased knowledge and abundance, while the latter focuses on scarcity and lack thereof. As you face people or tasks that may ’seem more difficult than scaling the summit of the Himalayas’ allow yourself to realize that the task is just as important as giving out orders to your subordinates. You would rather be richly passionate!

6. Keep humor at the forefront of your thoughts, laughing at [and with] yourself when possible. You may find yourself quite entertaining when you loosen up! I have yet to see a comedian ever go hungry, even though his jokes are as ‘old’ as great-grandma. Life has too much to offer, don’t allow yourself to mope around in self pity. Humor is very attractive, very passionate, and extremely contagious.

7. Believe that you are the architect of your destiny. No one can take your passionate future from you — except you! Create your life authentically. As long as there’s still a breath in your body, there is no end to how much you can accomplish in a lifetime. The concept of thinking big is all about enjoying your work, which will lead to celebrating a discovery that was born within your mind. Watch everything flow into place with perfect, passionate precision.

It’s interesting how people get wallowed up by something as trivial as learning to use a computer. Nowadays top computer companies are manufacturing software that even our toddlers can operate. I don’t mean to be condescending, but that’s the idea of not having any positive thinking in your life. So instead of subjecting yourself to a negative attitude of what you will be doomed for, make your own destiny by taking the first step with a positive attitude. Challenge yourself to develop your coping skills, then take it one step further by developing solutions that work for you.

The mind that believes all things are possible, opens the possibility of all things.

Copyright 2009 Odella aka Alhavakia