Find Out the Cheapest Gas Prices

Thought I'd be a good neighbor and and share with you a link I received from a good friend today...

Just enter your zip code at the site below, and it tells you which gas stations have the cheapest prices (and the highest) on gas in your zip code area. It's updated every evening.

http://autos.msn.com/everyday/gasstations.aspx?zip=&src=Netx

As for me, well, I'm staying home most days now because of rising gas prices. However, I always try to keep in mind this affirmation "The Universe will always provide for my needs". Stop stressing over the gas prices! It's time to start exercising anyways...ride a bike or walk! If where you need to go is too far, simply take the bus :)

The Good Life Is...A Massage

My brother recently gave me this Homedics massager. I was a bit skeptical at first being that my experience with electric massagers certainly isn't anything to write home about. Even more deceiving is its weight - it seems to weigh a ton, but when you get it on your back and the waves start to penetrate your muscles, you don't even feel the weight.

However, nothing beats a good ole' fashion massage from somone you love...

But as I sit here at my computer, I'm dreaming of being in some far off distant land - a spa resort... won't you join me?

Thank God for imagination!

"Why Do Some Affirmations *Work* - and Others Don't?"

- by Jeff Staniforth

By definition, an affirmation is a statement repeated time and again either verbally or mentally -- or written down. The words of the affirmation statement - in themselves -when spoken, thought of, or written *without* a pictorial (visualized) or emotional connection -- make a very weak affirmation.

Affirmations, when worded correctly -- and when emotionally charged - are able to tap into the unlimited creative power of your subconscious mind, and manifest your desires.

Affirmations are not all created equal. Some are, of course, better than others. There are *power affirmations* that have been proven again and again to work - and I'll reveal some of them in a moment.

When you examine the structure of these power affirmations, you, too, can learn how to create your own powerful affirmations for your specific purposes.

Consider the following:
"I am what I choose to be."
"All my needs are met instantaneously."
"I love and accept myself exactly as I am."
"_____________ comes to me easily and effortlessly."(Fill in the blank with what you desire.)
"I am now perfectly healthy in body, mind and spirit."
"I now create my wonderful, ideal life."

What do the above power affirmations have in common?

1) They're stated in the present tense.
An affirmation is more effective when stated in the present tense. For example; "I now have a wonderful job." Avoid affirming something in the future tense, e.g. "I am going to have a wonderful job" or the results will always be waiting to happen.

2) They express a positive statement.
Affirmations need to be stated in the most positive terms possible. Avoid negative statements. Affirm what you do want, rather than what you don't want. For example: "I am no longer sick." This is a negative statement. Instead, affirm: "I am now perfectly healthy in body, mind and spirit." This statement is much more powerful as it is positive and reinforces your desired goal and doesn't confuse your subconscious mind with the mention of the undesirable condition.

3) They're short and specific.
Short affirmations are easy to say, and have a far greater impact at the subconscious level than those which are long and wordy. Keeping them specific and to the point adds power as the idea is uncluttered by extraneous elements.

The mechanics that make affirmations powerful are:

* Repetition
The importance of repetition cannot be overemphasized. It imprints the affirmation into your subconscious mind.

* Emotions
Get involved, be passionate, and use your emotions. Think carefully about the meaning of the words as you repeat them rather than just writing, typing or saying them.

* Persistence
Practicing affirmations with persistence achieves results much sooner than practicing them periodically. Successive sessions will have a compounding effect.

* Belief
You don't necessarily have to believe your affirmation initially, in order for it to work. Belief will grow with your forthcoming successes. What you do need is the ability to *feel* what it would be like when the desire you're affirming is fulfilled, or your need met. Every time that you have a need -- and that need is met -- a certain "feeling" is produced in you. You need to evoke that same feeling when you state your affirmation. In other words, you need to feel with every fiber of your being that what you desire has already happened. Without this feeling, your affirmation is powerless.

* Impress Yourself
Personalize your affirmations. They must *resonate* with you -- feel right for you. The stronger your connection with the affirmation, the deeper the impression it makes on your mind, and the sooner you will experience positive results.

So there you have it - the simple formula for creating affirmations that work. Based on the above, you can easily create your own affirmations to manifest any desire or need you have in life.

TIP: Although the practice of affirmations is easy, some people find it challenging to repeat the affirmations continuously while maintaining the highly charged emotional state necessary in making affirmations work. DID YOU KNOW... that you can use your computer to make the affirmation process effortless - and that you can automate those challenging aspects (such as maintaining highly charged emotions), and thereby, manifest your desires more quickly?

Go to AffirmWare to find out how.

Join the millions of People Around the World Who Have Discovered the Power of Affirmations. Send for FREE subscription of "Affirmations For The Mind" Tips and Techniques Newsletter, the premier publication on self-improvement & personal growth. Each issue contains powerful sample affirmations that have been tested and proven to get results.
Click Here

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Appeared in “Affirmation For The Mind” newsletter.
Web site subscription (c) Jeff Staniforth - All Rights reserved
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Bless All That You Have

I came across a great article titled The Power of Blessing Your Money via the blog, Prosperity Is A State of Mind.

It's a reminder to all of us the old saying, "Count Your Blessings". When was the last time you counted your blessings?

What IS Wealth?

I have a new colleague, Greg Meintjies, over at Know More Media who has the same definition of wealth as I do. Here's a snippet of what he says in his post, Wealth Really:

"Freedom is a state of mind. Wealth is not owning a bunch of "stuff", like a Benz or a beachfront home. It's the quality of your thinking and how you process your thoughts."

Sound familiar?

Read more of Greg's post here...

Attitude Is Everything

"Our attitudes control our lives. Attitudes are a secret power working twenty-four hours a day, for good or bad. It is of paramount importance that we know how to harness and control this great force."~ Tom Blandi

We all know that saying "Attitude Is Everything" and it most certainly is! Case in point - this weekend I was a jewelry vendor at a local street fair. Saturday's sales were far from what I expected them to be. However, all throughout the day I maintained a positive attitude and had fun despite the low sales. Yesterday I went in again with the same positive attitude, but added even more enthusiasm...Sunday's sales surpassed Saturday's sales by 700%!

Always strive to have a positive attitude towards every situation you encounter and be mindful that everything happens for a reason. Your attitude will determine how successful and prosperous you will be in life!

Resources:

• Attitude is Everything, Revised Edition: 10 Life-Changing Steps to Turning Attitude into Action by Keith Harrell
• Attitude 101 : What Every Leader Needs to Know by John C. Maxwell

Invest In Others

by John L. Mason

One of the most exciting decisions you can make is to decide to be on the lookout for opportunities to invest in others. For me, this has been one of the most powerful principles of momentum that I've implemented in my life. About ten years ago, I remember driving to Tulsa, Oklahoma from St. Louis with my family. I was listening to a Zig Ziglar tape and on this tape he said, "You'll always have everything you want in life if you'll help enough other people get what they want." When I heard this statement, literally something went off inside of me, and I said out loud, "I'm going to do it." That decision to look for ways to help others, to invest in them, changed my life.

I believe that one of the marks of true greatness is to develop greatness in others. I have found that really great men have a unique perspective. That perspective is that greatness is not deposited in them to stay but rather to flow through them into others. Assign yourself the purpose of making others happy and thereby give yourself a gift.

Whatever we praise, we increase. There is no investment you can make that will pay you so well as the effort to scatter sunshine and good cheer into others throughout your journey.
There are two types of people in the world: those who come into a room and say, "Here I am!" and those who come in and say, "Ah, there you are!" How do you know a good man? A good man makes others good. Find happiness by helping others find it.

The greatest use of your life is to spend it for something and on someone that will outlast it.

Invest in others, it pays great dividends.

- John L Mason, from the book Let Go Of Whatever Makes You Stop. (to find out more about this book, please go to http://www.freshword.com/resources)

About the Author:
John Mason is a national best-selling author, nationally recognized speaker and book coach. He has authored fourteen books including An Enemy Called Average, You’re Born An Original-Don’t Die A Copy, Let Go of Whatever Makes You Stop, and Know Your Limits-Then Ignore Them which have sold over 1.4 million copies and have been translated into twenty-five languages throughout the world. "I have posted a special message for you to see on my website http://www.freshword.com In it I talk about right associations and the effect they can have on whether you succeed in life or not. Your best friends should bring out the best in you! If you are an author, or want to be, I have many resources specifically designed for you. Also, make sure to sign up for my "Nugget of the Week - I would love to inspire you."

The Good Life is Making Jewelry

I've been like a mad woman making jewelry, so excuse me if this post is short! I've been on quite a roll and designs are coming to me at a very quick rate.... This weekend I'll be selling my wares at a local street fair here in San Diego. For those of you who can't make it, I'll make them available on my website later...if I don't sell out!

Inspirational Quote For the Day

"The real winners are not just those at the top but those who have come the farthest over the toughest roads. Your victory may never make the headlines. But you will know about it, and that's what counts."
~ Ernest A. Fitzgerald

A Tip On How To Be More Productive

It's been about almost week now since I've cut out watching TV and I've noticed a huge difference in my productivity. Being that I work at home, it's very easy to just turn on the TV and use it as background noise as I work, but I often find myself actually watching more TV instead of doing work!

Since I've stopped watching TV I've also exercised more...

Try it out and see how much more productive you become!

Motivational Quote

"Concentration can be cultivated. One can learn to exercise will power, discipline one's body and train one's mind."

--Anil Ambani
Indian businessman

Manifesting A Million Dollars

A most remarkable thing happened this weekend. I was at our local swap meet selling my jewelry when an older gentleman walked by and made a comment,

"You have really good jewelry," he said. "I hope you do well today!"

"Thank you!" I said.

He walked away and about ten minutes later returned with an envelope. I opened it and there was a million dollar paper bill in it. You should have seen the look on my face! You would have thought it was real money!

That simple act put me in the state of mind as if I was already a millionaire. I had manifested a million dollars like that! Of course, it wasn't real, but I'm faking it until I make it!

That night I went home and decided how I would spend my million...

A Great Resource: Law of Attraction Secrets

I "met" Linda Miller through Ryze.com a couple years ago and was guided tonight to her new blog, "Law of Attraction Secrets". If you're not familiar with this Universal Law and would like to manifest all your desires, I recommend visiting her blog...

Prosperity and Abundance

I love talking about prosperity and abundance because I believe that it is attainable for everyone on this planet and I hope to help those realize that they, too, can live a rich life.

Like I've said many times before, achieving prosperity in your life begins with your thoughts. Whatever you focus on expands tenfold. If you constantly think about abundance coming into your life, well, that's what will appear. If you're always in fear of being broke or that you never have "enough", that is what you'll attract into your life.

You see, your subconscious doesn't know the difference between positive and negative. It only knows what you think about, so if you keep positive thoughts coming in, that's what you will attract into your life.

THINK POSITIVE!
STAY POSITIVE!

Any questions?

~~~~~~Related Posts...

• A Great Resource for Prosperity and Abundance
• Prosperity Affirmations
• It's Time To Prosper!

Beat Procrastination in 5 Simple Ways with Smart Goal Getting

By Peter Murphy

The setting of goals is a step in the right direction toward achieving anything. It clearly shows that there are some good things present; such as, a purpose and some determination. But as horrible as it may sound, it achieves very little until the next step begins to be taken.

This article will show how you can go from setting your goals to achieving those same goals. It will provide a way to beat procrastination.

What was just implied may come as a little shock to some. The truth is, however, that once we state our goals, whether they be about goals for the day, goals for life, goals in school, or whatever, they are no good to us if only stated as goals.

Oftentimes, we settle for goal making, but it often ends up like so many new year's resolution - unfulfilled. After they are written we sit back, feeling proud about ourselves, and feel like we accomplished something - but we are still procrastinating about it.

Once we understand that a goal is of no value until we initiate the action desired, then we still have not beat procrastination. We still have not gone anywhere. Here are some steps to take you from goal setting to goal reaching.

1. Review your goals.
Look at them honestly and analytically to determine what kind of goals they are. Ask yourself if these are "real" goals. This means to discern if there is a way to know when you've achieved it. If a goal is rather nebulous, then reword it to express something more tangible.

2. Make your goals measurable
Another step that will help you to beat procrastination is to take these goals that you made more realistic, and now make them measurable. For instance, if your goal is to read more books this year, and watch less television, then this is not measurable.
Or, another situation, comes from the area of weight loss. Someone says, I want to start walking more so I can lose weight.

Well the thought is there - but it is not real (lack of determination), neither measurable. But, on the other hand, if you said, I will walk two miles a day, for five days a week, so I can lose 20 pounds in three months - that is both realistic and measurable.

3. Determine a time frame for your goals
Next, take your goals and attach a time frame to each of them. If there is a large goal, or many, this needs to be broken down into workable units. Let's say, for example, that you wanted to write your first novel as one of your goals. Break this down into obtainable units, by weeks, or, if you are really busy, by months.

If you are new to writing books, and if you work, then, it might look like this: Week one - read articles about book writing, how to do it, and take notes. Week two - read more articles and develop a general outline of the book. Week three - more articles, develop outline more and develop characters of the novel...

Week twenty-two - final corrections. Week twenty-three - send to publisher.

4. Review your goals and adjust them accordingly
If you really do want to succeed, and beat procrastination, then you must review your goals and make them more realistic. If, after a week, you find that you can write two chapters a week, great, now set your written goals to match the newly discovered ability.
It is good to always keep a little pressure on yourself. And, don't forget you also need the goal of having researched and found a potential publisher - before you finish the book.

5. Begin Step one of your goals today
Wanting to beat procrastination, and doing it, are two different things. Start today to see your goals achieved - one day at a time.

Peter Murphy is a peak performance expert. He recently produced a very popular free report that reveals how to crush procrastination and sustain lasting motivation. Apply now because it is available for a limited time only at: stop procrastinating

Faking It Until You Make It

Many teachers of prosperity will tell you that in order to attract the circumstances that you desire out of life, that you should act as if you have already achieved your goal(s) - in other words, "faking it until you make it". Chyrene Pendleton of Prosperity Is A State Of Mind shares a personal story of practicing this technique.

This is what Chyrene says:

"I just want you to know that it really does work and it works continuously if we practice this each day. What happens when we act or pretend as if we did get that job or career or anything we want, is that we draw it to us very quickly, like a magnet."

This technique has worked for me as well. I would also suggest writing down your goal as well. When I wanted to quit my job and work from home, I wrote it down, stayed positive, and practiced the visualization technique. A few months later my dream came true!

Resources:

Creative Visualization: Use the Power of Your Imagination to Create What You Want in Your Life by Shakti Gawain

Visualization: Directing the Movies of Your Mind by Adelaide Bry and Julie Just

Oprah's Debt Diet Challenge Part 5 & Creating Wealth

I watched Oprah's Debt Diet Challenge again today. People came on to talk about how the show has helped them with their financial plans and budgeting.

Last year when I went on my own debt diet I was forced to cut down on expenses. I had quit my corporate job to focus on starting my own business, which meant no steady income. I had to hold onto whatever money I had. That meant no eating out, no movies, and no shopping sprees. It was hard at first, but I had no choice in the matter! Now I've become more disciplined with my money and have become wiser as to how I spend it.

I'm reading more books on real estate because I know that owning properties is going to be the key to creating wealth. You can visit my real estate and home decorating website that I've created to help others educate themselves about the real estate market. There are a ton of articles on real estate and home decorating on the website.

Writing down your financial goals will definitely help in creating your own wealth. Also, keeping track of your spending will show you where you can cut down and save. One of the areas where people spend a great deal of money is eating out. Having a food budget can put you on track to saving alot of money. I know this personally!

Has anybody out there started a debt diet? How is it working for you?

God Appears Through Debbie Call

Through Debbie Call's blog, God spoke to me (Yes, Debbie, enter the Twilight Zone music here too). I, too, have been putting off this project that could potentially bring in some passive money as well (Yes, Debbie, enter the Twilight Zone music here too).

So, I "stumbled" upon Debbie's blog...and I too, got the message:

Get Out and Do It Now

Roger!

Over and out!

Become A Money Magnet

I just started reading Getting Rich Your Own Way by Brian Tracy and I'm having a hard time putting it down. I knew that this book was meant for me as soon as I laid eyes on it

I was in Barnes & Noble looking for a customer service book, when the book by Brian Tracy caught my eye. I hadn't even seen the title of the book yet, but saw his name and a light went on in my head. Not even a day earlier I had read a quote by him that was inspirational for me. My instinct told me to buy the book and I'm now very grateful that I did.

The second chapter of the book is titled "Become a Money Magnet" where he talks about developing a prosperity consciousness. For me, it took quite a few months to get into the mindset of prosperity. You definitely need to pay attention to your thoughts and your feelings towards money.

I'll quote a passage from the book:

"One of the most powerful principles in the universe is the law of attraction. The law of attraction says that you are a living magnet. This law says that your thoughts create a force field of energy that radiates out from you and attracts back into your life people and circumstances in harmony with those thoughts. Every thought you have is emotionalized in one way or another, positive or negative. Like iron filings to a magnet, whether you have thoughts of desire or thoughts of fear, you attract people, circumstances, and events into your life that are in harmony with those thoughts."

I can testify to what he's saying here. Once I changed my thoughts to wealth and all the ways I could attain it, those thoughts of lack started to fade away and people, resources, and money started appearing in my life that have helped in my journey to becoming a millionaire.

So far the book is excellent...I'll post more about it as I read more!

Related Posts:

• How To Live a Rich Life
• Attract Money Now
• Prosperity Affirmations
• Prosperity and Abundance Quotes

Everything I Learned, I Learned In High School

Many of the things I learned about life, I learned in high school.

Read my post here at my high school's blog...
(That's a pic of me back in the day...)

New Art & Jewelry Blog

I've created yet another blog. Yes, I've become quite the blogaholic! This newest blog highlights the art and jewelry side of my life - a couple of my other passions besides writing...

Click on the link to visit the blog: Salon de Maria Art & Jewelry Blog

Great Adventures

I discovered a great blog today - Motivation Peek - that is aligned with many of my beliefs and values. I wanted to share an excerpt on a post called "Human Needs - Adventure" . A list of how adventure manifests for different people... Out of the list, here are my favorite types of adventures:

Planning new trips (even if they are never taken)

Starting a new company or division

Creating new markets, new products or new industries

Being an entrepreneur or being self-employed

Conquering something (climbing the highest mountain, winning the gold medal,
setting new records)

Experimenting with new techniques or materials

Being first to do something or try something

What types of adventures do you like?

Lessons Learned From "V For Vendetta"

Last week I watched "V For Vendetta" for the second time. I have to say that it's probably one of the best films I've seen in quite some time However, I could have done without the violence. But, I understand it goes with the territory.

This movie will make you think. It'll shift your thinking of the way the world works. For me, the movie hits home in terms of what's going on in the world of "politics". And though I've never considered myself a political person, it's hard not to when we're all connected and the actions of one can affect an entire nation.

This movie is also a love story - the kind of love you have for your fellow human being, the kind of love you have for a community and the kind of love you have for the nation. It also challenges your current beliefs about the current government.

Yes, it's time to start thinking about the "bigger picture"....