Quote of the Week

"The quality of a person's life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor." ~ Vince Lombardi

Do You Smell The Roses?

For some reason lately I’ve been quite obsessed with how many readers have been visiting this blog - although I should know better than to judge my success by the amount of people that come here! The amount of people reading doesn’t necessarily mean anything. I could have 50 people visit my blog, but only 5 people actually find something of interest and decide to subscribe. And then I could only have 10 people visit my blog each day, but those ten people are inspired. Then I have made a difference in ten people’s lives.

When did our society become so obsessed with numbers? In big business, it’s about “the numbers”. What I’m learning is that in reality, it’s all about the relationships that you build. Whether in your personal life or your business life, you are here to make a difference in your life and other people’s lives. Money is only a by-product of the gifts that you give to others.

This is something we also have to keep in mind as we go on this adventure to gain wealth and prosperity in life. Yes, we want more money in life, but isn’t it much better to enjoy the journey and live each second as if you already have all the money in the world? Don’t become so obsessed with attracting the money that you forget to “smell the roses”. It’s funny, but it wasn’t until recently that I came to realize the true meaning of that phrase!

Stop focusing on the numbers and start smelling the roses!

Related Posts:

• 7 Keys to a Happy Life
• My Theory of Success

Time For More Learning!

Just a quick update....

I've been quite busy with a couple writing projects and haven't been able to post here as often as I would like to! However, I would like to share with you one of the projects that I'm working on. It will be posted at the Talking Story with Say Leadership Coaching Blog on September 21. It will be a month of learning! Check out and learn from the other bloggers who are participating in this project:
Line Up For Learning!

Basil is Coming to San Diego Soon!

Being online can’t be all work and no play, so I’ve signed on to have Basil visit me here in San Diego! I first learned about Basil from Tom Vander Well of QAQnA a couple weeks ago and being that I needed some spice in my life, I thought, hey - let’s have a donkey come visit for a week ;)

Hmm...now I just need to make some space in the guest room...

Would you like for Basil to come visit you? Check out this site: http://www.whereisbasil.com/

Also, Where is Basil? is looking for a website sponsor. For more info, visit the site!

Do You Know Where You're Going To?

Do you know where you’re going to?
Do you like the things that life is showing you?
Where are you going to?
Do you know?

These are the words that rang through my mind today - the words to the theme from the movie Mahogany sung by Diana Ross back in the mid 70’s. I was a wee baby when it came out, but I’ve heard the song dozens and dozens of times. Why this song came to me today, but of course I had to answer the questions!

Yes, I know where I’m going...
Of course, I like the things that life is showing me!
I’m going around the world!
Yes, I know!

I’m all jazzed from watching The Secret! And even though I’m familiar with the principles outlined in the movie, it was definitely a wake-up call to point out some of the things I can do to manifest things quicker in my life. After the fourth person mentioned this movie to me, I thought, “Hey, I think I’m supposed to be watching this movie!” I watched it and I love it! In fact, I watched it two times! If you want to know how you can get everything in your life that you’ve ever wanted, I highly recommend watching it ;)

So, yes, this Law of Attraction principle does work!

This past weekend I also started reading Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow Rich, a best selling book that also talks about how your thoughts are the catalysts for manifesting all that you want in life. If you truly want to have a better life, then this is another must read book!

Do you know where you’re going to?

Related Posts:
A Great Resource: Law of Attraction Secrets
Become a Money Magnet
Law of Attraction
Change Your Beliefs and You Change Your Life

Ten Secrets to My Success

I allowed myself a little rest and relaxation this past weekend with a sprinkle of deep thought and meditation….plus a little blog reading…One blog I frequent is Starbucker’s Ramblings From a Glass Half Full and one post in particular really had me in deep thought tonight –The Ten Secrets to Our Success. We’re asked to pick the top ten from his list (or add our own) that are the most important factors in our lives. Although I think everything on the list is equally important, I finally narrowed down my top ten - in no particular order...

Balance Between Work and Personal Life -Believe me, all work and no play makes me pretty cranky! It's important to get out and enjoy time with friends and family

Good friend and family support structure - For me, I like to know that my friends and family support me in my decisions and are there to help me out when I need it

Perserverance - We're going to have many rough patches in our lives and it takes a strong person to overcome the challenges and keep charging along

Good Manners/Respect - I definitely believe in karma. When you are kind and respectful towards others, they will return the favor

Passion - One must have a passion for life to live it joyfully and in peace. People who have passion for what they do normally have much success and abundance in their life

Relentless Optimism - There is no such thing as negative in my life - just "blessings in disguise"

Good Moral Grounding - One definitely needs to learn the difference between right and wrong

Sense of Humor - Laughter is the best medicine!

Love - Without love there is no life...

Proper Diet & Exercise - The keys to a very long life ;) I've always been very active and have been involved with sports all throughout childhood. It's in my blood to exercise. I also believe that you are what you eat...and it shows...

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Attracting Everything Good Into Your Life

I’m a big proponent of meditation and feel that it is a great method by which to attract everything that you desire in your life. Well, that and affirmations. Ever since I’ve started meditating day and night - which was about a year ago - I’ve discovered that:

1) I have become more productive and have accomplished practically everything on my “To Do” list for the day

2) My relationships with loved ones have strengthened

3) My income has increased by as much as three times what I was making last year at this time

4) I’ve attracted people that are very helpful

Gosh, I could go on and on how my life has drastically changed since last year! I came across the ZenChill blog where he shares how his life has changed from the “power of surrender”.

What are you doing to attract good into your life?

A young man learns what's most important in life from the guy next door..

I received this story from a dear friend today, so I thought I'd pass it along....

It had been some time since Jack had seen the old man. College, girls, career, and life itself got in the way. In fact, Jack moved clear across the country in pursuit of his dreams. There, in the rush of his busy life, Jack had little time to think about the past and often no time to spend with his wife and son. He was working on his future, and nothing could stop him.

Over the phone, his mother told him, "Mr. Belser died last night. The funeral is Wednesday." Memories flashed through his mind like an old newsreel as he sat quietly remembering his childhood days.

"Jack, did you hear me?"

"Oh, sorry, Mom. Yes, I heard you. It's been so long since I thought of him. I'm sorry, but I honestly thought he died years ago," Jack said.

"Well, he didn't forget you. Every time I saw him he'd ask how you were doing. He'd reminisce about the many days you spent over 'his side of the fence' as he put it," Mom told him.

"I loved that old house he lived in," Jack said.

"You know, Jack, after your father died, Mr. Belser stepped in to make sure you had a man's influence in your life," she said.

"He's the one who taught me carpentry," he said. "I wouldn't be in this business if it weren't for him. He spent a lot of time teaching me things he thought were important..Mom, I'll be there for the funeral," Jack said.

As busy as he was, he kept his word. Jack caught the next flight to his hometown. Mr. Belser's funeral was small and uneventful. He had no children of his own, and most of his relatives had passed away.

The night before he had to return home, Jack and his Mom stopped by to see the old house next door one more time.

Standing in the doorway, Jack paused for a moment. It was like crossing over into another dimension, a leap through space and time The house was exactly as he remembered. Every step held memories. Every picture, every piece of furniture....Jack stopped suddenly.

"The box is gone," he said.

"What box?" Mom asked.

"There was a small gold box that he kept locked on top of his desk. I must have asked him a thousand times what was inside. All he'd ever tell me was 'the thing I value most,'" Jack said.

It was gone. Everything about the house was exactly how Jack remembered it, except for the box. He figured someone from the Belser family had taken it.

"Now I'll never know what was so valuable to him," Jack said. "I better get some sleep. I have an early flight home, Mom."

It had been about two weeks since Mr. Belser died Returning home from work one day Jack discovered a note in his mailbox. "Signature required on a package. No one at home. Please stop by the main post office within the next three days," the note read.

Early the next day Jack retrieved the package. The small box was old and looked like it had been mailed a hundred years ago. The handwriting was difficult to read, but the return address caught his attention. "Mr. Harold Belser" it read. Jack took the box out to his car and ripped open the package. There inside was the gold box and an envelope. Jack's hands shook as he read the note inside.

"Upon my death, please forward this box and its contents to Jack Bennett. It's the thing I valued most in my life." A small key was taped to the letter. His heart racing, as tears filling his eyes, Jack carefully unlocked the box. There inside he found a beautiful gold pocket watch.

Running his fingers slowly over the finely etched casing, he unlatched the cover. Inside he found these words engraved:

"Jack, Thanks for your time! -Harold Belser."

"The thing he valued most was...my time."

Jack held the watch for a few minutes, then called his office and cleared his appointments for the next two days. "Why?" Janet, his assistant asked.

"I need some time to spend with my son," he said. "Oh, by the way, Janet, thanks for your time!"

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away.

Thought For the Day

"Every hardship; every joy; every temptation is a challenge of the spirit; that the human soul may prove itself. The great chain of necessity wherewith we are bound has divine significance; and nothing happens which has not some service in working out the sublime destiny of the human soul." ~ Elias A. Ford

I believe that adversity is another way that The Universe tests your faith. Looking back at my life I realize that the hardships that I have faced have only served to give me mental strength.

Recommended Blog: Think Positive! Blog

I just discovered another great blog that's fairly new: Think Positive! Blog The name says it all! Go read now and put some positive thinking back into your life ;)

Thoughts on Faith: Do You Have It?

I came across Tim Draayer’s post where he mentions this Matthew 17:20:

“I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Have you ever thought about how strong your faith is? I know that in my life my faith is tested everyday. Whether it’s wondering if my friend is going to survive her crash (she was hit by a drunk driver) or if I’m going to make it through the steps of Double Your Way to a Million, my faith continues to stay strong and I know - without a doubt in my mind - that these things will work themselves out.

No doubt. No fear.

Remember those days as a kid when we just did things with no thought to the consequences of our actions? I would jump in ditches or roller-skate down steep hills with no fear. Somewhere along the way I got a few scrapes and scratches, but I’m still alive, right?

In life you’re going to get a few scrapes and scratches, but that shouldn’t stop you from going after your dreams and accomplishing what you want to in life. Most of the time we don’t move forward in life is because of fear or doubt. This I learned just this year - absolute faith. I’ve learned that worry just causes psychological problems and affects my health. And after all is said and done - I’m still here. Everything worked themselves out. All that worry was for nothing.

Having absolute faith is about putting all your trust in God and knowing that He’ll take care of you - no matter what the situation is. Do you have faith? Do you have trust?

More Progress on the Double Your Way to a Million

I'm still on step #9 of Double Your Way to a Million...

For awhile I was finding money every other day - a penny here, a dime there - but for about a week I wasn't coming across anything. The reason being was that I wasn't thinking about it. I got caught up in moving and the "stresses" associated with that. But then I started thinking about the million again and money started popping up again a few days ago.

Keep that million at the forefront of your mind and you will make it!

By the way, Gerard has a podcast on Double Your Way which I highly recommend listening to: http://odeo.com/audio/1602458/view

"Passion Meets Purpose"

Just like anything in life, you never know what's around the corner. I stumbled upon Passion Meets Purpose and just had to share her blog with you...another must read for motivation!

Like does attract like ;)

Loosely related post:
Law of Attraction

Thoughts on Goals and Goal Setting

I've been meaning to introduce you to Christine Kane. A great writer and artist that has a great deal of wisdom to share. And since it's the beginning of the month, I thought I'd share
this post on monthly goals that Christine wrote.

It wasn't until this year that I realized just how important writing your goals down can be. When you write down your goals, in essence you're telling your subconscious and the Universe what you want to happen. They go to work to bring about the help you need to accomplish those goals. Don't worry so much about the how's, just know that it will happen for you if you write them down and visit them time and time again.

At the beginning of the year my boyfriend and I wrote down a list of short-term and long-term goals. Our very first goal was to get a 3 bedroom 2 bath, two story condo or home that had a washer and dryer. That first goal was accomplished this month! It really is amazing what can happen when you simply write things down.

People say you should share your goals with others, but may I add you should not share your goals with the naysayers in your life. We all have a few people in our lives, be it family members or coworkers that could subconsciously sabotage those goals - especially if that little creature called envy is sitting on their shoulder! Share your goals with those who truly support you and that you can trust to help you achieve those goals.

"Remember to do something every day—including today!—to work toward your goals." - Dave Lorenzo

Clipart from Clipartheaven.com

Your Life Is Much Better Than You Think

You never fully realize how good your life is until you read stories like this and this.

Has the world forgotten about the effects of Katrina already? Where is all the money going to?

Thanks to Know More Media for the reminder...