Create Your Treasure Chest of Dreams

Many of us have heard about the power of affirmations, and the law of attraction for positively bringing forth that which we wish to achieve. We know that this is done by deliberately setting aside time to communicate with our subconscious mind on a consistent basis, through meditation, affirmations and visualizations.

Even though we know that training our minds is a worthy goal to pursue and a great routine to cultivate; sometimes there is an uncertainty about how to get started or how to keep a positive practice active in our lives.

Finding a method or system that inspires our consistent attention, and makes us want to implement these practices on a daily basis can be a challenge.

It usually takes thirty consecutive days to develop a new habit; so it is important find a method that makes this commitment of our time a fun and enjoyable event and something we look forward to.

There are many ways to install or sustain a daily system of encouragement, and I have found a way that has been working for me this past month. I have filled up a decorative box with many uplifting pamphlets, books, affirmation cards, and a list of goals and dreams I would like to achieve.

Additionally, I have added small sea shells, pictures of the ocean, and other images that make me feel good. It has become like a small box of positive bliss for my heart, mind and soul. The whole point is to find a way to create good feelings within us on a consistent basis, and these particular items; along with the container itself has been accomplishing that for me.

 

Many of us wait until we feel in the mood to sit quietly in positive contemplation. Ironically, having a box like this or other enjoyable visual aids; can help to put us in the mood and generate the good feelings we long for.

Seeing my treasure chest of dreams is a fun and creative reminder to feed my mind with the positive nuggets I’ve placed inside of it; and makes me want to open it for the inspiration that awaits me.

When we are engaged in looking at things or reading materials that put us in a state of joy; then naturally our new found energy is going to attract more positive people and experiences to us.

Each day we can do the following:

1. Think about and feel gratitude for all the current blessings in our life.
2. Read several of the positive reading materials that are placed in our treasure chest.
3. From this state of appreciation, we can review our goals that we have written down.
4. Then, we can visualize how it would feel to achieve our desires.
5. Finally, we can release any expectations on the outcomes we request, and go about our day feeling great from this positive experience.

In this process, we are programming our mind for success, and as a result, are inspired with new ideas, and are more intentional in our actions. It also encourages us to believe that anything is possible today; while looking forward to all the possibilities and abundance for the future as well.

Installing a nurturing daily habit of feeding our mind and heart with gratitude, confidence and support, is obviously preferable to listening to the steady stream of disempowering thoughts and beliefs that often get our attention.

Finding a way to motivate ourselves to do the positive practice of communing with our internal guidance system, and focusing on our goals, dreams and gratitude list is definitely worth the effort.

How do you program your mind for success?

Action Step:

Create your own treasure chest of dreams, by placing anything that makes you feel good inside of it, and installing this wonderfully positive daily routine.

Make Room for Game Time

In the resort we stayed at recently in California, there was a game room on the bottom floor and it was wonderful. They had ping pong, air hockey, foosball, pool tables and more. Then, outside, there was golf, tennis, crochet, and badminton.

I had forgotten about some of those activities, so getting reacquainted was a lot of fun. It got me thinking about how I would love to do more of that type of playing without having to wait for a vacation to do it.

Certainly, we don’t have to have a full-fledged game room in the house, in order to incorporate several of the activities we enjoyed during our stay. We can go to places in our area that have a similar set up as the resort or maybe add badminton, crochet or volleyball to the backyard.

Looking for ways to increase game time sounds like a fun adventure to me!

What is your favorite game activity?

Enjoy Each Day!

My husband and I just returned from a beach getaway which was very rejuvenating on so many levels. It was a wonderful trip and the beauty all around us was picture perfect.

The poem below is a great reminder to stop and enjoy the splendor that surrounds us on a daily basis, and appreciate our life to the fullest now!

Enjoy!

It only takes a moment
To stop and take a breath
To take in all the sights, and sounds
To enjoy all life has to give

Don’t take time for granted
Because it quickly slips away
Years cannot be promised
So enjoy every single day

Time and life are precious
And we only get one chance
To live life to its fullest
To live in happiness

Live your best life
Starting with today
Make sure it’s a happy one
Every step of the way

— Author Unknown

Take Time for Recreational Activities

As we know, there are many ways of reducing our stress and anxiety such as positive thinking, physical exercise, meditation and the like. Even though all of these methods are effective and beneficial for our peace of mind; so is engaging in recreational activities as well. One form of recreation for many of us is the natural joy that comes from crafting and making something come to life.

For some, crafting is not only a form of enjoyment but it is their livelihood too. For example, in Fountain Hills Arizona there is an annual Festival of Arts and Crafts which features nearly 500 artisans who each have their own unique ideas, and artistic flair which is evidenced in the products they create and sell.

Approximately 200,000 people attend this function each year from across the country and around the world. Enjoying the talents of others at this event is a wonderful experience, as well as, getting creative ideas and great gifts. There is a vast assortment of handmade creations and assorted treasures found within the booths that line the streets such as unique furniture pieces, dishes, ornaments, clothing and more.

Naturally, crafting doesn’t have to be fancy or used for selling or displaying to the public. It can be something we simply find pleasure in doing for our own personal enjoyment such as knitting, making model airplanes, scrapbooking, or needle point.

Recently, I’ve become reacquainted with making wall rugs using a latch hook kit. I like the simplicity of pulling colored pieces of yarn through a printed design on a canvas and watching that design come to fruition with each row of yarn that I weave.

My current rug is a lighthouse which I look forward to hanging on the wall when it’s completed, however, at the same time; I am enjoying the process along the way.

I certainly enjoy other creative and recreational activities too such as writing and lounging at the beach. However, it was fun to return to this other form of entertainment as well.

No matter what form of expression we choose, when we’re engaged in the creative process, it can be a totally in the moment experience. The hours just seem to melt away, along with our stress and anxiety from the fun and relaxation that our chosen activity can provide.

What do you enjoy creating?

Action Step:

If you are feeling restless, creatively challenged, or looking for something new; try walking through a local craft store or craft festival, and see what creative ideas come to life.

Put the Bounce Back in Your Step

Music can instantly help us to feel good! This got me thinking about a little song called Walking on Sunshine this rainy Monday morning which was a big hit for the 80’s musical group Katrina and the Waves.

I, for one, always got a little bounce back in my step when it came on the radio.

Wherever you live and whatever weather you are experiencing in your state, or current state of mind, hope you enjoy this warm blast from the past!

What songs help to lift or enhance your mood?

Action Step:

Add some music to your day, and see how uplifting it can be!

Best Moment Award – Number Three

Awarding the people who live in the moment,
The noble who write and capture the best in life,
The bold who reminded us what really mattered –
Savoring the experience of quality time.

Recently, I was nominated by Fae at Fae’s Twist and Tango for the Best Moment Award. This is my third time being honored with this particular award which I am happy to receive.

I would like to extend a big thank you to Fae for this wonderful acknowledgment, and for sharing her creativity, and unique style.

RULES:

• Winners re-post this completely with their acceptance speech which can be written or video recorded.
• Winners have the privilege of awarding the next awardees with a notification that they have been nominated.
• Display the award’s badge on your blog.

ACCEPTANCE SPEECH:

I wrote this acceptance speech for my prior nominations and feel it still holds true today.

It is wonderful to be a part of the WordPress community, and meeting so many new friends since I began my blog over one year ago. 

There are so many beautiful and inspirational blogs out there, so it is a huge compliment to be selected for this award among all the other nominees and blogs available.

I love all the insights, lessons and joys that are shared by others in their own individually unique ways; yet uniting us all through common desires, needs and experiences.

Many people have inspired me throughout my life and taught me many things and that includes the creative people I have met here as well.

Blogging is a great way to exchange all kinds of information, so I thank you all for courageously sharing yourselves and elevating my life in the process!

MY NOMINATIONS:

Laurie’s Lovely Living

Charming Trinity

The Why About Us

Through Jersey Eyes

Congratulations and enjoy!

Cultivate a Prosperous Mindset

“Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve.”

— Napoleon Hill 

Prosperity thinking is not only about attracting financial wealth but about obtaining success in all areas of life, through the richness of an affluent mindset.

Below is a compilation of the seventeen essential principles for obtaining personal achievement by Napoleon Hill; who is probably best known for his extremely successful book entitled, Think and Grow Rich.

These lessons contain some of his most prominent insights and wisdom. Enjoy!

Lesson 1: Definiteness of Purpose

Definiteness of purpose is the starting point of all achievement. Without a purpose and a plan, people drift aimlessly through life.

Lesson 2: Mastermind Alliance

The Mastermind principle consists of an alliance of two or more minds working in perfect harmony for the attainment of a common definite objective. Success does not come without the cooperation of others.

Lesson 3: Applied Faith

Faith is a state of mind through which your aims, desires, plans and purposes may be translated into their physical or financial equivalent.

Lesson 4: Going the Extra Mile

Going the extra mile is the action of rendering more and better service than that for which you are presently paid. When you go the extra mile, the Law of Compensation comes into play.

Lesson 5: Pleasing Personality

Personality is the sum total of one’s mental, spiritual and physical traits and habits that distinguish one from all others. It is the factor that determines whether one is liked or disliked by others.

Lesson 6: Personal Initiative

Personal initiative is the power that inspires the completion of that which one begins. It is the power that starts all action. No person is free until he learns to do his own thinking and gains the courage to act on his own.

Lesson 7: Positive Mental Attitude

Positive mental attitude is the right mental attitude in all circumstances. Success attracts more success while failure attracts more failure.

Lesson 8: Enthusiasm

 Enthusiasm is faith in action. It is the intense emotion known as burning desire. It comes from within, although it radiates outwardly in the expression of one’s voice and countenance.

Lesson 9: Self-Discipline

Self-discipline begins with the mastery of thought. If you do not control your thoughts, you cannot control your needs. Self-discipline calls for a balancing of the emotions of your heart with the reasoning faculty of your head.

Lesson 10: Accurate Thinking

The power of thought is the most dangerous or the most beneficial power available to man, depending on how it is used.

Lesson 11: Controlled Attention

Controlled attention leads to mastery in any type of human endeavor, because it enables one to focus the powers of his mind upon the attainment of a definite objective and to keep it so directed at will.

Lesson 12: Teamwork

Teamwork is harmonious cooperation that is willing, voluntary and free. Whenever the spirit of teamwork is the dominating influence in business or industry, success is inevitable. Harmonious cooperation is a priceless asset that you can acquire in proportion to your giving.

Lesson 13: Adversity and Defeat

Individual success usually is in exact proportion of the scope of the defeat the individual has experienced and mastered. Many so-called failures represent only a temporary defeat that may prove to be a blessing in disguise.

Lesson 14: Creative Vision

Creative vision is developed by the free and fearless use of one’s imagination. It is not a miraculous quality with which one is gifted or is not gifted at birth.

Lesson 15: Health

Sound health begins with a sound health consciousness, just as financial success begins with a prosperity consciousness.

Lesson 16: Budgeting Time and Money

Time and money are precious resources, and few people striving for success ever believes they possess either one in excess.

Lesson 17: Habits

Developing and establishing positive habits leads to peace of mind, health and financial security. You are where you are because of your established habits and thoughts and deeds.