Thanks for our time together

"Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier."--Mother Teresa

It has been my hope that I have left you better and happier.

I hope you have enjoyed our time together, but for now our time must end.

We have been sharing ways of changing our lives for the better, bringing us pathways to success, happiness, fulfillment, faith and hope.  We have explored many ways of being all that we can be.

We must always have an attitude of gratitude for all we have been given.

Hope must always be present in our lives and we must always expect the best.  Remember that what we expect we usually get, not what we deserve.

Peace must always be in our heart, mind and spirit.  A peaceful person calms chaos simply by being peaceful.

A joyful heart spreads joy to all.

Love is the greatest healer and the greatest gift that we can bestow and receive.

I wish you success in all things.  I wish you love, joy and hope.  May the positive energy of the Universe always be with you.          

Madame Cleo

Patience is protection against wrongs

"Patience serves as protection against wrongs as clothes against cold.  For if you put on more clothes as the cold increases, it will have no power to hurt you.  So in like manner you must grow in patience when you meet with great wrongs, and they will be powerless to vex your mind."---Leonardo da Vinci

We sabotage our life with lack of patience.  If we have patience others react to us in a positive manner.  People will do more for us if we give off positive vibrations.

Patience surrounds us with peace and peace acts as a layer of protection in the tension filled world we live in.  It is the barrier we need to be comfortable and secure.

Patience allows us to relax and enjoy life and prevents the wrongs of others to affect our well being.

Patience also teaches us the philosophy that  "No one can harm us unless we allow them to do so." Patience slows us down long enough for us to reason in our minds and make the right decision without jumping blindly into a situation that we have not thought out well enough to make a sound decision.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

I will develop patience and conquer wrongs with well thought out plans and therefore be ready for all circumstances, which may occur, using that circumstance to my advantage with my patience.

Up from humility to success

"The road to success leads through the valley of humility, and the path is up the ladder of patience and across the wide barren plains of perseverance.  As yet, no shortcut has been discovered."--Joseph J. Lamb

So you were experiencing humility, now experience pride.  Be patient on the ladder of success but do so with a winning spirit.  Pull away from humility, it is a deep valley, and climb the ladder of success with perseverance.  Persevere and refuse to give up.

Do not allow others to undermine or undervalue you as a person.  Just because they say it does not mean that it is true.  Feel in your heart that you are a valued person and that you are on your road to great success.

Just keep trying new things.  If one thing does not work for you then try another thing.  Keep persevering.  Keep experimenting.  Life is an experiment.  We just keep trying until we get it right.

The more we try the greater the chances we will be successful.    The more chances we take the greater the success.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

I will move from the valley of humility up the ladder to success with patience and perseverance and with great determination.

Develop a sense of pride

"If there is one characteristic that all great champions share, it is an enormous sense of pride.  That's true in all walks of life.  The people who excel are those driven to show the world--and prove to themselves--just how good they are. “---Nancy Lopez

I want you to have pride in yourself and show the world the stuff you are made of.  Show the world how good you are.  Feel good about yourself.

Think of the successes you have had in life and review them.  You are the same person now that you were then.  Perhaps a little older but much wiser.

When you walk, walk with a straight back.  When you talk, talk clearly and distinctly and look people in the eye.  Discontinue the slumping posture and downward position of the head.  Head up, straight back and eye contact says that you are a winner and are unafraid of what life may bring.

When you speak use a calm and strong voice and clearly speak so that you can command attention by your presence.

You are a winner in life and you can show the world.  You are the champion of your circumstances.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Today I will show great courage and pride to the whole world.

Sacrifice what you are for what you could become

"The important thing is this: To be able at any moment to sacrifice what we are for what we could become.".--Charles DuBois

What are you doing now?  What if an opportunity to do something you have always wanted to do suddenly and unexpectedly appeared in your life?  Would you sacrifice the tried and true that you are doing now for the unexpected?  Would you gamble on what you could become?  Or would you be afraid of the uncertainty involved with the change?  Are you afraid to gamble on the future?

Ask yourself what is the worst thing that could happen if I took the risk?  What is the best thing that could happen if I took the risk?  In reality it would be somewhere in between.

Then go someplace where there is peace and quiet and sit quietly for awhile and ask your inner self if this is what you should do.  Your inner self has all the answers.  All you have to do is sit quietly and ask for guidance.

Do not allow fear or insecurity to enter into the decision.  Keep an open mind and a sense of adventure.  You will know what is right for you.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Do not cloud your vision with routine.  Allow yourself to become what you can and should become.

For every obstacle there is a solution

"For every obstacle there is a solution--- over, under, around and through.  You are successful the moment you start moving toward a worthwhile goal."--Chuck Carson

Have you ever studied a problem or obstacle and decided it had no solution? Then you did nothing and it become even larger and more obtrusive?

Every obstacle does have a solution.  You can go over it or around it, under it or through it.  However, you have to do something or start moving toward a worthwhile goal.  The obstacle does not go away.  You must take some sort of action.  Do not sit paralyzed with indecision.  Make a decision and move toward your goal of removing the obstacle.

Do not let fear or doubt sway you from your path.  Full speed ahead and do it now.

The more decisions that you make towards removing this obstacle the smaller it becomes until it no longer exists.  Make up your mind that you can do it and start on it right away.

The self-satisfaction that you feel when this removal of the obstacle is complete will amaze and gratify you.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Today my goal is to remove obstacles in my path and I will feel great success in doing it.

Attitude can make or break you

"Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal, nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude."--Thomas Jefferson

Have you ever started a project with an attitude that it just won't work and you were right? It did not work.

Have you ever started a project with the idea that you were going to be successful and you were despite others insistence that it would not be successful?

The crucial difference here is the right mental attitude.  The right mental attitude leads to success and the wrong mental attitude leads to failure.

This is why it is so important to have the right mental attitude for everything you do, say or feel.  Take the time to examine your feelings. Let your inner self guide you and then make up your mind that you are going to find the positive side of every event or happening in your life.  The more optimistic you are the greater the good opportunities that occur in your life.

It is the basic law of attraction--- what you expect is what you get.  We must train our mental attitude to expect the best.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

My attitude can make or break me and it is within my power to change it.

Test your limits

"Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go." ---T.S. Elliot

How do you know what you can or cannot do until you have tried?

People who will not gamble on their own selves but will risk everything on another person are really shortchanging their own selves.  When is the last time that you took a risk?  Have you ever felt a little nudge from your inner self that gave you a desire or an inkling that you should take a risk?  Ever wanted to try something or do something and did not, only to find that someone else did it because you did not and they were successful?

How do you really know what your limits are if you do not test them?  Think of the emotional high when you succeed at something that you thought you could not do.  Remember that feeling.  Cherish it and keep it in your memory banks forever and draw on it when you tend to sink into a routine.

Every day take a risk on something that will improve your life and situation.  Try it and see how far that you can go.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Today I am going to take a risk and gamble on me and my abilities until I discover my limits.

Make it a game to get the most out of life

"Have the daring to accept yourself as a bundle of possibilities and undertake the game of making the most of your best."--Henry Emerson Fosdick

Do you know that you are a bundle of possibilities?  There are so many things that you can do in life.  You were given so many undiscovered talents that you have not used.

You have probably given the excuse that you do not have the time or energy to do anything but your daily routine and when you do end your day all you want to do is collapse in a chair or couch and entertain yourself with the mindless twitter on TV.

When you do this you devalue yourself as a person.  You are so much more than this.

When is the last time that you actually enjoyed your day?  When is the last time that you enjoyed getting up in the morning and looked forward to an exciting chain of events which could make the most of your best or possibly even alter the future of yourself and those around you?

Open you heart, mind and spirit to the possibilities of your life and make it a game of getting the most out of your life.  The possibilities are endless.  Embrace them.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Today I will evaluate my life and all new possibilities and take charge of my life.

Let peace live in your thoughts

"You will succeed best when you put the restless, anxious side of affairs out of mind, and allow the restful side to live in your thoughts."-Margaret Stowe

Have you ever had a day when you feel that your nerves were so taunt that you snapped at everyone and everything and the pressure felt so great that you felt your head was going to explode?  We all have had days like that.  Everything that could go wrong did and the more anxious we became the more that went wrong.

When you get such a day I want you to go into a room {bathroom is fine} and sit down and take 4 long breaths slowly and exhale slowly and say to yourself  "This is a temporary situation and will pass." When you do this you are tapping into a universal reserve of positive energy and I want you to say the words, "My soul is restful and at peace".

Feel the peace within.  Whatever is happening externally can not affect you internally unless you allow it to do so.

Now when you return to the situation you will have new energy and slowly bit by bit will get the job done.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

I will handle all of my affairs with a peaceful feeling and others will react in a positive manner and they too will be at peace.

Do the deed that sows the seed for happiness

"Action may not always bring happiness but there is no happiness without action."---Benjamin Disraeli

Let us take action toward our goal of being happy.  Don't just think of the action, make the effort to do the deed that sows the seed for happiness.

When you get up in the morning, before life gets a chance to cloud your thoughts, have a plan and start the action.  Once the action is in motion it will multiply.

You know what makes your soul happy.  Your basic instincts will inform you if you let them.  Ask yourself what will really make me happy today?  Not material things bur rather something n a higher level.  What would really make you look forward to getting up every morning?  Plan it, plot it and do it.

You alone are responsible for your own happiness.  You must make yourself happy.

Some people find happiness in a hobby or creative interest; others find happiness by drinking their coffee on the front steps while watching a beautiful sunrise.  Whatever it is take action to do it. Make yourself happy.  You can do it.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

I will find what my higher self needs to be happy and will take action to provide it.

Be rich in heart

"It is the heart that makes a man rich.  He is rich according to what he is, not according to what he has."--Henry Ward Beecher

With so much depression in today's world, we forget that it is what is in the heart that makes a person rich, not what is owned or stored up in banks.

People complain that there is not as much money as there used to be.  While this is probably true let us examine the things that money buys.  We see something that catches our eye, we buy it, we enjoy it for awhile, grow tired of it and want more.  It becomes a never-ending cycle of buying to make us feel good.

Since this feeling is so temporary and does not really bring us happiness then let us examine another way to achieve happiness.  Let us concentrate on doing for others and giving away some of the things that we have bought to some one who does not have what we have.  See how much better you feel.  You revive the same feeling of pleasure when they express joy as you felt when you bought the item.  It makes your heart happy and it makes the recipient happy for a little while.

Resolve now to spend less, give away more and enjoy sharing.  It will make your heart happy.  People live longer, feel better and attract positive energy with a happy heart.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Today I will spend less, give away more and do something for others that makes my heart happy.

I will leave a part of me with everyone and make a difference

"The purpose of life is not to be happy-but to matter, to be productive, to be useful, to have made a difference that you have lived at all."--Leo Rosten, American teacher and humorist

While it may not be the purpose in life to be happy there is no reason why you should not be happy while you are being productive, useful and making a difference.  If you are doing all of these things you have good reason to be happy.

Have you made a difference that you have lived at all?  It is not too late to do so.  Are you productive or useful?  Think about it.  If you are not, then change it.  You may be a little uncomfortable for awhile until you settle into your new role but the rewards are many.

Start with small kindness and thoughtfulness to others, then gradually work up physically doing something for others.  Look for opportunities as they are all around you.

What talents and skills do you have that you could use to help others?  Is there a particular hobby that you could share with others?  How about a job skill that you have? Could you share that and make a difference in someone's life?

Could you train people who are jobless or homeless or falling behind others at school?  Search your soul and discover what you can do.  Every one has a skill, hobby or occupation that could be shared with another and it might be life changing.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Today I will share something that I can do with others.  I will leave a part of me behind with each new encounter and I will have made a difference, no matter how small or large.

Do the thing you think you cannot do

"You gain strength, and courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face.  You must do the thing which you think you cannot do."--Eleanor Roosevelt

All of us feel that we cannot do certain things in our lives.  We are afraid to try.

What we do not know is that we gain strength, courage and confidence every time we try something we feel we cannot do.

When we succeed, we become stronger and more courageous and confident.  We then file these feelings away in our memory banks and use it the next time this type of situation presents itself.

This behavior develops a mindset of its own until it is habitual.  Some people even seem to get an adrenaline rush when new challenges present themselves, almost eager in their sense of "I can do it" attitude.

All you have to do is tell yourself that you must do the thing that you think you cannot do.  Do not allow yourself to take no for an answer.  Instead just start doing it.  Do not analyze it or think about it.  Once you start doing it you change the anatomy of the thing.  The energy of it changes.  Your energy changes.

Positive energy is the key to all success but for this positive energy to take effect you have to make the first move.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Energy creates energy and I will open the doors of my mind by taking positive action to help guide me through every experience.

Your possibilities are greater than your needs

"Now is the time.  Needs are great but your possibilities are greater."---Bill Blackman

In these trying times we see and experience our own needs and the needs of others.  We feel a bit overwhelmed at times.

Know this, no matter how great the needs your possibilities are greater.

Stand back and review the situation.  We tend to think in a box.  Step out of the box and change the way you are looking at this situation.  Take that little extra risk.

Many people became very successful when their needs were the greatest.

There is no problem that cannot be solved with a fresh perspective.

Make a list of your needs and another list of your possibilities.  How can you use these possibilities to satisfy your needs?  Think about them but remember you may need to take chances on the outcome.  Needs equate to problems and possibilities equate to solutions.

Get out of your rut.  Doing the same thing over and over only perfects your errors.  Do something different.  Ask yourself these questions.  Is it possible?  Most things are. Will the outcome possibly give me the results I need?  What is the probability that it will?  Even the smallest probability can result in unusual success.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

I will examine my needs and the possibilities that I have to satisfy them.

Be patient and persevere

‘Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish. A little knowledge that acts is worth infinitely more than much knowledge that is idle.”--John Quincy Adams

Work on achieving your goal a little bit at a time every day. Much like water wears away rock so does patience and perseverance wear away obstacles.

When we face obstacles they appear to be much larger than they really are. If we go about persistently chipping away at this obstacle it becomes smaller and smaller and as it becomes smaller and smaller, we become even more persistent and finally with patience the obstacle disappears from our path.

We learn that the obstacle was not insurmountable and only our self-doubt made it seem so. As we began to see it disappear we gain new self-knowledge and confidence to go on.

We used our knowledge rather than sit idly to dread the obstacle.

Energy creates energy. Start doing something about the obstacle and this energy will create more energy.

Start to help yourself and the positive energy will start to flow and magnify many times over.

Start the action and feel the energy flow in you through you and around you.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

I will start to remove the obstacle and allow the energy of the Universe to help me and success will follow.

Our purpose in life

"Life without purpose is a languid, drifting thing, every day we ought to review our purpose, saying to ourselves, "This day let me make a sound beginning".
--Thomas Kempis

Each of us gets up in the morning and wonders what we need to do with our day.

Some of us seem to have no purpose in life.  We watch endless, mindless television and sit around the house with no purpose in life.  When bedtime drags around we go to bed and awake to the same non-existence the next day.

No wonder depression is so prevalent in our society.  We have no purpose in our lives.  When our feet hit the floor in the morning, there is nothing to say to us here is my purpose in life.  Or here is my deed for today.  We have no plan for this purpose and everything seems like a great effort to do, so we sit mindlessly in our chair or on our couch dreading the long day ahead.

This need not be.  Today formulate a plan or purpose and work toward it.  Discover a reason for living.  Usually doing for others gives a soul a satisfying feeling.

What can you imagine that you would like to do?  Think about it.  When you discover it then start each day with a plan to help you achieve your purpose.

At night when you go to bed review with satisfaction what you have done and vow that tomorrow you will do even more.

Notice the bounce in your step and your sense of well being and sense of accomplishment.  You have now discovered the meaning of life --a purpose driven life always gives the energy to live life to the fullest.  Living life to the fullest is the greatest gift to ourself.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Today I will find a purpose for my life and will plan, prepare and do what I need to do to achieve it.

Live in the now

"The secret of health for the mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly."  --Buddha

You cannot change the past, the future is uncertain; all we really have is this present moment in time.

Right now I want you to take a deep breath and let it out slowly.  Resolve to yourself, yesterday is gone so I will not think about it.  Tomorrow is but a dream and my reality is now.

Just for today I will think about today.  What can I do to make today count?
How can I make my life better today?  How can I make everyone else's life better today?  Am I truly doing the best that I can with my relationships, abilities, and opportunities?  How can I do better?  What can I do right now to wisely and earnestly change things?  What am I not doing that I should be doing to change things?  When you discover the answer then do it immediately.

Make this moment in time count.  Live in the now. Do all that you can do to use this moment wisely.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

I will live in the now, use this time wisely and make today count.

Joy is service to others

"Joy can only be real if people look at their life as a service, and have a definite object in life outside themselves and their personal happiness." ---Tolstoy

It would seem that we have forgotten our fellow man.  He seems to have gotten in the way of us and our personal happiness.  We concentrate on me, mine and more.  We do nothing for others, we do not give back to the world and we wonder why our achievements and material gain do not bring us joy.  We selfishly guard our money and time and feel that if we do anything there has to be something in it for us.

We also feel unhappy, unsatisfied, and live a joyless, harried existence.

Let us step back and regroup.  What have we done for others lately? Try an experiment with me.  Do something or be of service to another that will not bring you personal or monetary gain.  Give of yourself instead of taking from others.  Donate time or money or both to a worthy cause or charity.  Help in a volunteer program.  Be a school mentor.  Roll bandages for the Red Cross.  You get the idea.  Give a service from your heart that only you can give to others.

Listen to your soul sing when you do.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

I will give a service to humanity that only I can give and feel joyful for having done it.

Be kind and spread it around

"Wherever there is an human being there is an opportunity for kindness". --- Seneca

Whenever you meet someone, even a stranger, show a little kindness.  Whether it be opening the door for a woman carrying a baby or smiling warmly at an old man limping with a cane.  Do something small and work up to larger things.  We live in a cold, uncaring, busy, impatient world where the lack of empathy seems to be the norm.

We have an opportunity to change a small part of this world simply by being kind to all we meet.

Science has proven that when we are kind to someone, not only do we excrete a hormone that makes us feel better but so does the recipient of our kindness and also the observers of our act.  You not only make yourself feel good but the recipient and the observers also feel good at the same time.

All this from one act of kindness.  Think of the magnitude of good feelings if everyone did this.  It is hard to be unhappy when you feel good about your actions and their effects on others.  One small act of kindness to another person can change many lives.

Every day you should make it a part of your daily life to do one act of kindness and increase the number of acts every day.  Try it and see what a difference it makes.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

I will do an act of kindness every day and increase the number of acts daily.