Leaving behind 2009 to bring in 2010

As we prepare to say goodbye to 2009 I am doing some spiritual housecleaning.  Every year around this time I do inventory on where I've been and where I'm going in the upcoming year.  I read over previous blog posts, intentions that were affirmed and goals that were set.  I look over my vision board and see what, if anything needs to be readjusted, added or taken off.  I don't make New Year's Eve Resolutions as you may know from a previous blog post but what I always do is some serious housecleaning... clearing the old to make way for the new.  I follow my housecleaning up with an intention for the upcoming year that I revisit and rework throughout the 365 day cycle.  Last year I blogged about nine things I encouraged us all to free ourselves from in 2009.  This year I've narrowed the focus to just three simple hindrances that I will not drag into 2010.  If any of these resonate with you please...feel free to pick up your spiritual broom and join me in some good old fashion housecleaning!  Then... in the New Year... let's focus on what we really want as we embark on 2010... rather than on what we don't want.  For now, here is what I will no longer waste my time on and I hope you'll consider joining me:

1. "Friendships" that do not serve our higher good-  We do not have time for people who will drain our energy or who do not support the highest version of ourselves.  I challenge us all to love and respect ourselves, love and respect others, and expect to be loved and respected in return.  Accept nothing less for we deserve the best.
   
2. "Wishing" and "regretting"- Wishing I did this or regretting I did not do that does nothing to help us build a better future and leaves us feeling powerless to change our life.  We either need to do what it is our heart is calling us to do, rework our plan, or admit somethings may never be.  Reinvent yourself or let it go but leave the past in the past and live in the here and now... right here... right now.
   
3. Grudges- They keep us stuck in the past and drain us mentally, spiritually and over time, can even make us physically sick.  So, accept things the way they are.  That doesn't mean we have to condone or even judge a situation in any way.  Rather, it means we realize things are as they are and we let it be.  It is our reaction to the situation, not the situation itself that is in our control.  So, let us all forgive ourselves and others AND MOVE ONE!

Next time, no more talk about "don't wants" and instead full attention will be given to actual "wants" in a strategic move to manifest the highest good!

The 21 Day Big Dream Challenge... is BACK!

I've been talking about it... and talking about it... and now I'm FINALLY going to do another round of The 21 Day Dream Big Challenge.  I first came up with this challenge during the summer after I completed a 4T Prosperity Program- when you change your mind you change your life! course at my church, Unity of Washington, DC.  The idea that you can create real change in your life came from research by Dr. Maxwell Maltz that stated it only takes 21 days to create a habit.  So, I thought if I focused my energy on one positive thought for 21 days what would I manifest?  I incorporate somethings I already do, some things I want to do and many things I learned from the 4T Prosperity class to come up with The 21 Day Dream Big Challenge. 

Many people ask me, with a skpetical twinge in their voice "So, what happened when the Challenge was over"?  I reply, knowing it's true but almost only half believing it myself, "on the 22nd day I started a new job, doing what I love, working with people who appreciate, value and respect me".  So, I'm going to start the challenge again.  This time it is personal.  I'm not going to tell you what I'm focusing on right now.  I want to go through the steps of The 21 Day Dream Big Challenge and fine tune my vision for myself because one thing I know for sure, you must be careful what you ask for because you will surely get it.  Join me if you like, the Challenge starts on Tuesday, December 15 so that by January 1, 2010 real change should be taking place in our lives.

Click on The 21 Day Dream Big Challenge hyberlink if you want tips and the background on how to get started.  I'll keep you posted on my progress along the way and I'd love to hear from you as well!

Let's Think Big and DREAM BIG!

Vital Health During The Holidays Part 1 | Intent.com

I ran across this article on Intent.com and wanted to share it with you all. Here's hoping we can all have a healthy and happy holiday season!

If we were going to make this holiday season different, if we are going to make it exceptional by giving you more vitality and more energy, by making joy easier to come by, and by enlivening your intimate and romantic life – what would we do? We need to look at strategies for staying healthy and for monitoring your stress level.

In terms of your health and vitality, we know a lot about how stress really accentuates the possibility for illness. An interesting study was done by the television show “NBC Dateline” and Prevention magazine, in which 41% of the people interviewed said the holidays were as stressful as a job interview, i.e., very stressful. What’s interesting about that is we don’t really think about our stress levels accentuating during the holidays because it’s just par for the course. But the truth is we often do experience accelerated stress levels which has a substantial effect on our bodies.

Read the full story here: Vital Health During The Holidays Part 1 | Intent.com

The Holiday Season doesn't HAVE to be Stressful!

It’s that time of year again… the start of the holiday season. The hustle and bustle of the holidays starts with Thanksgiving and continues on through until the last champagne corks pop on New Year’s Eve. What is billed as holiday cheer often turns into a mass rush to cook, clean, entertain, shop and present the perfect holiday scenario.To top it off, with family demands, lack of sleep, poor eating habits and financial burdens, people are often faced with major stressors or can spiral into a deep depression.  But, it doesn’t have to be that way. Here are ten tips to help keep you remain stress free at the start of this holiday season:

1. Release control. Set realistic goals for what can be accomplished when. Then, enjoy those things you can do rather than focusing on all the things that cannot or will not get done.
2. Accept you family.  I know it can be hard but try to just accept family and friends just the way they are. Sometimes this may mean loving them from afar. Sometimes this may mean loving them more than they love you back.  It’s OK… it all balances out in the end because showing love is a win-win.
3. Stick to a budget. Times are hard and if we’ve learned nothing from our over spending years it should be that we can’t buy happiness. Try these alternatives: donate to a charity in someone's name, give homemade gifts or agree to only purchase gifts for the children of the family.
4. Be realistic. The holidays don't have to be perfect, just like they were last year or exactly like they were when you were a child. As families change and grow, traditions and rituals often change as well. Choose a few to hold on to, and be open to creating new ones.
5. Plan ahead. Set aside specific days for shopping, baking, visiting friends and other activities. Plan your menus and then make your shopping list. That will help prevent last-minute scrambling to buy forgotten ingredients. Also, make sure to line up help for party prep and cleanup.
6. Socialize. If you're feeling lonely, find a place of worship or community center where you can be with other people. Sing carols… off key if you have too. See a play or movie. Listen to holiday music. Dance until your feet hurt.  Just get out there and enjoy life in whatever way you can.
   
7. Treat you body well. If you are tired, get some rest. Being exhausted increases your stress, creating a vicious cycle. Don’t overlook your workout routine. Exercise releases endorphins that can help elevate your mood and you'll probably need your workouts more than ever to ward off those extra holiday pounds.
   
8. Give Back. Helping someone else in need can take us outside of ourselves and gives us an appreciation for all the things we have to be grateful for. So, volunteer at a shelter, soup kitchen, or your place of worship.  A great place to start is VolunteerMatch.  They have great ideas for volunteer opportunities with everything from IT work and the arts to mentoring programs. 
   
9. Be Good To Yourself. Each week of the holiday season schedule aside a few hours for some “you” time. Don’t feel guilty about working in time for yourself. Spend some time in a nice long bath, light some candles, listen to your favorite music, take a long walk, shoot some hoops, and/or watch a marathon of your favorite show. Whatever it is that will help center you… make that time to "do you"! You can’t be good to someone else unless you are good to yourself!

Finally, Tip #10 comes to us from the  American Psychological Association Help Center.  Having lost my Dad last year and realizing the holidays can be especially difficult with the lose of a loved one I thought I'd quote the experts on this one.  

How Does a Person Deal With the Holidays When He or She Has Just Experienced A Recent Tragedy, Death or Romantic Break-up?
If you're feeling really out of sorts because of any chronic or current stressors, like a death or recent romantic break-up, you may want to avoid some of the festivities because they are so out of sync with how you're feeling. Try to tell those around you what you really need, since they may not know how to help you, and ask for their understanding if you decline an activity.

Another year gone by.... and I am reflective

As I approach another birthday I am reflective on the year gone by. I've had to ask myself a series of questions:

1. Have I accomplished my goals for this year?
2. Have I surrounded myself, as I said I would, with people who would only see the best in me and lead me to my higher good?
3. Have I been able to keep up my meditation and affirmation work?
4. How is my commitment to living a healthy lifestyle?
5. Am I aware of my thoughts and living life abundantly for my higher good?
6. Am I following my passions?

As I look over the list I must say that I've done better than I thought I would this year. I’ve done MUCH better than the year before. In fact, truth be told, I actually like this time of year. I get to do a "spiritual inventory" and get ready for my “spiritual house cleaning” that takes place at the end of the year.One of the things I’ve learned this past year: my oldest friends are dearer to me now then they have ever been before. I'm more selective about who I let in my inner circle the new friends I’ve made will surely become old, dear friends. I am much better being able to spot insincerity although I no longer need to finger point when I run across it. Give all this, as we approach the end of the year I have a very clear view of my goals, aspirations and purpose... although I will admit not all roads point in the same direction at the same time.

So, it's my birthday week and I am reflective. I am joyous and reflective. I am focused... living for the joy and laughter... and reflective. One thing I know for sure, my thoughts create my reality and I am focused on dreaming BIG. I've come to realize our dreams can't be big enough.The Creator wants more for us than our minds can even conceive and the Universe is ready to yield to whatever thoughts, perceptions, ideas, or conditions we wish to impose on ourselves. I still have lots of work to do and lots of spiritual housing cleaning to get to do but with each passing year I get closer to my goals and hey... isn't that what life is all about?

Spiritual Disciplines Made Easy

"Love your enemy as you love yourself." “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” “The Truth shall set you free.” These are some of my favorite and simplistic teachings. Yet, they are some of the most challenging spiritual principles.  Yet, as we expand our spiritual lives we are called upon to put the Creator first and we begin to love as the Creator loves. We begin to see the good in other people. We start to have a reverence for nature and all living things. We find ourselves wanting to only speak our Truth. Then, when we can get into that spiritual space we begin to act differently. Our energy shifts in a more positive direction. Our moods shift and suddenly life rhythms, with all its ups and downs do not impact us the same way they use to. What at one time seemed so totally, deeply true, or is even known to be true, can at other times seem so false and shallow.

But, life has a way of throwing us curve balls… of forcing our moods to swing. The great teachings we have grown to respect, love, and believe in are tested. In these times, practicing spiritual disciplines trains us to stay on course. Disciplines such as prayer, meditation, setting affirmations, stating intentions and even practicing yoga help to bring us back in balance on a daily basis. However, spiritual disciplines do not have to be formal, complicated, deep practices.  Simple things like laughing out loud, singing a favorite song or dancing for joy can help bring you back in balance with very little effort on your part.

So, when a mood swing comes on because your Truth is being challenged, or your life is swinging out of control by all means, practice your formal spiritual disciplines, heed the great teachings, but also try putting on your favorite Michael Jackson song.  Sing off key if you have to… dance out of step if you must… but use a little music to change your mood.  Or, here's another one... smile... simply smile... all day long for no reason and watch your mood change.  Also, if you smile at everyone you come in contact with not only will your mood lift but you'll shift the energy around you and uplift someone else's spirit as well.  Last one... laugh... laugh... laugh... laugh.  It's hard to feel sorry for yourself when you are filled with joy and laughter.  Practice simple teachings and simple disciplines and find your center so you can go back out there and create your reality!

Four Spiritual Tasks to Complete During Your Day

I read this on InnerSelf.com and just had to share it with you!

Cree Native American storyteller and teacher shared "According to my tradition, from the beginning of creation, every morning, when the sun comes up, we are each given four tasks by our Creator for that day.. First, I must learn at least one meaningful thing today. Second, I must teach at least one meaningful thing to another person. Third, I must do something for some other person, and it will be best if that person does not even realize that I have done something for them. And, fourth, I must treat all living things with respect. This spreads these things throughout the world."

Your actions, words, and even your thoughts have a powerful spiritual and real-world effect. Everything you think, say and most importantly feel creates your world. I often say it's the thought BEHIND the thought that will create your reality. Think about where you placing your energy and make adjustments if you when necessary. Love hard, forgive with an open heart, pray often and dream BIG!

How Can You Find Your Life Purpose?

...it starts with a few questions to Discover Your Life Purpose

The following are a list of questions that can assist you in discovering your purpose. They are meant as a guide to help you get into a frame of mind that will be conducive to defining your personal mission.

Simple Instructions:

• Find a place where you will not be interrupted. Turn off your cell phone.
• Write the answers to each question down. Write the first thing that pops into your head.
• Write quickly.
  
• Be honest. Nobody will read it.
  
• Write without editing.

Here are the Questions:

1. What would you do if you had an unlimited supply of money?

2. What are your favorite things to do in the past? What about now?

3. What would you do for free?

4. What makes you feel great about yourself?

5. Who inspires you most?

6. What are you naturally good at?

7. What do people typically ask you for help in?

8. If you had to teach something, what would you teach?

9. What would you regret not fully doing, being or having in your life?

10. What have you always dreamed of doing?

Now, look over your list and ask yourself... what is stopping you from living your purpose. Know that YOU are the only thing stopping you and that there is nothing the Universe would want more than to give you your heart's desire!

You are in the driver seat of your life!

I didn't write this but I co-sign...

"Your personal vision statement guides your life. Your personal vision statement provides the direction necessary to guide the course of your days and the choices you make about your career. Your personal vision statement is the light shining in the darkness toward which you turn to find your way. Your personal vision statement illuminates your way."

By Susan M. Heathfield, About.com

... at the end of the day, life is about choices. Why blame others for your plight in life, for how you feel, for the "the one that got away" or the job that is driving you crazy? You are in the driver seat of your life. Figure out where you want to go and write your on life map, your "vision statement" that will guide your life.

Day No. 21 of The 21 Day Dream Big Challenge

Day Twenty: Be patient! It is finally here, the last day of The 21 Day Dream Big Challenge! Over the course of the last three weeks we’ve been working on affirming, imagining, believing, praying, forgiving, serving, detailing, getting outside of our comfort zone, speaking about our dreams, visualizing our dreams, and mastering our “I Am” statements. On the twentieth and final day of the challenge we will practice being patient.

Wikipedia defines patience as “the state of endurance under difficult circumstances, which can mean persevering in the face of delay or provocation without becoming annoyed or upset; or exhibiting forbearance when under strain, especially when faced with longer-term difficulties”. Although we should have developed a habit of focusing on our dreams by now, we can’t rush the process. Many of us have been thinking of negative thoughts for a long time. To redirect the energy to a more positive direction will take time and require patience. You’ve focused for 21 days and have created a habit of positive dreaming. Are you willing to continue the habit for another 21 days, for six months, for a year? How about continuing the habit of positive dreaming until your dream comes true? Then, when that dream is realized are you ready to develop a new one? Can you experience positive dreaming as a way of life? Can you hold your vision in faith? Your life is waiting for you and the only thing that is stopping you from being all you can be is you. Leave me a comment when you’ve completed the challenge and let me know what you were able to manifest over The 21 Day Dream Big challenge and remember to dream BIG!

DAY 21 OF THE DREAM BIG CHALLENGE: BE PATIENT

Day No. 20 of The 21 Day Dream Big Challenge

Day Twenty: Dream your dream out loud: With only two days left of The 21 Day Dream Big Challenge you should be experiencing a new habit of focusing on your dream. A few days ago we began telling everyone about our dream and speaking it into existence. Now, I want you to get into the habit of repeating your dream to yourself out loud AS IF IT HAS ALREADY COME TRUE. Remember, the subconscious does not know the difference between the truth and a lie. So, we are going to hold the highest view of ourselves in consciousness and speak it often.

This is where you will begin to speak your “I AM” statements. “I AM” are two of the most powerful words in the English language. They represent the Creator who said “I AM that I AM.” What you put behind your “I AM” statements move the Universe in a way that will support your words. So, no longer will we use statements like “I am weak, fearful, unhealthy, confused, broke or unemployed”. Instead we would say, “I am strong, fearless, healthy, focused, prosperous and employable”. You can also look at it this way, if you want a new job and you have been manifesting a certain role, such as a Sales Manager, then you will speak, with authority “I AM a Sales Manager and my new job is awaiting me”. If you are hope to lose weight you would say out loud, “I AM at a healthy weight and I takes steps every day to maintain my health.” Should your dream be to gain a new relationship you my say “I AM a good mate and in turn I Will meet my new partner.” Days ago we set a calendar date when our dreams will come true. If you like, you can add that date to your “I AM” statements. Either way, start speaking the dream you have for yourself out loud with your “I AM” statements as if it has already come into existence.

DAY TWENTY: DREAM YOUR DREAM OUT LOUD!

Day No. 19 of The 21 day Big Dream Challenge

Day nineteen: Know your worth. There are only two days left of The 21 Day Dream Big Challenge! We’ve spent the last three weeks working through several principles designed to create a habit of positive dreaming. Today we will commit ourselves to knowing there is abundance in the universe and we are worthy.

The Universe is a big, vast, expansive place of infinite possibilities. In the reality we have created there is an abundance of houses, cars, money, great jobs, health and loving partners. Why, then, would you be singled out as someone who does not deserve this abundance? Recognize right now that you are one of the most magnificent creations on earth. You have the ability to do, be, and have anything you want simply by thinking it into existence. But even more powerful than this bit of information is the fact that you are worthy of the all the blessings this life has to offer. Tell yourself over and over again that you are worthy until it becomes something you begin to believe. Know that you are worthy until you feel it. Live like you are worthy because it is your birthright.

DAY NINETEEN: KNOW THAT YOU ARE WORTHY

Day No. 18 of The 21 Day Dream Big Challenge

Day Eighteen: Take 3 steps to achieve your dreams: We are in the final days of The 21 Day Dream Big Challenge! Over the course of the past three weeks we’ve been working on affirming, imagining, believing, praying, forgiving, serving, detailing, getting outside of our comfort zone, speaking our dreams, visualizing our dreams and now we are taking three bold steps that will move our dreams forward.

Ask yourself what three things you can do right at this moment towards making your dreams come true? If you are working on your health can you try a new medical procedure, start a workout program or change your diet? If you are looking to attract a new mate can you try a dating service, ask a friend to arrange a blind date or ask someone out you’ve always had a crush on? If you want a new job opportunity what about getting a recruiter, asking current contacts for recommendations or taking an on-line course that will sharpen your skills? Think long and hard and come up with your own list of three things you can do right now that will get you closer to your dream.

DAY EIGHTEEN: TAKE THREE STEPS TOWARD ACHIEVING YOUR DREAMS!

Day No. 17 of The 21 Day Dream Big Challenge

Day Seventeen: Create A Vision Board of Your Dream! The 21 Day Dream Big Challenge is coming to a close but if you’re new to the challenge you can start at day one and I'll be with you all the way! To date we’ve been working on affirming, imagining, believing, praying, forgiving, serving, detailing, getting outside of our comfort zone, speaking our dreams into existence and now we need to create a vision board or “road map” if you will, of our dream.

Go through magazines, catalogs and the like and start cutting out photos, sayings, and words that support your dream. You can even write your own sayings or take your own photos. Once you have a collection of the items that support your dream post them. I like to use a large poster board and I’ve covered it with sayings and photos that support my dream. Originally I placed my vision board in the hallway and passed it every day, several times a day. However, it was not until I moved my vision board into my bedroom, where I could see it upon falling asleep and upon waking that things started to really change for me. Actually, the day after I moved the board I got the idea for The 21 Day Dream Big Challenge and so the movement began. Now, make your own vision board of your dreams, post them where you can see them, and watch your life begin to unfold!

DAY SEVENTEEN: CREATE A VISION BOARD OF YOUR DREAM

Day No. 16 of The 21 Day Dream Big Challenge

Day Sixteen: Tell your dream to all who will listen. It is he sixteenth day of The 21 Day Dream Big Challenge day! We’ve accomplished a lot by affirming, imagining, believing, praying, forgiving, serving, detailing, getting outside of our comfort zone, and now we are going to speak our dreams into existence.

Words have power and we will be using the power of words to speak into existence those things that we want to see manifested in our lives. Speak your Truth. Tell everyone you know what it is you want to do, be or have. Don’t worry about whether they don’t support your dream… that’s what yesterday’s work was for. By now you should have your inner circle that will support you in your journey? Today you will use your words to speak your dreams into reality. You never know who may be listening or who will be in a position to help.

DAY SIXTEEN: TELL YOUR DREAM TO ALL WHO WILL LISTEN

Day No. 15 of The 21 Day Dream Big Challenge

Day Fifteen: Surround yourself with people who will support your dream. The end of The 21 Day Dream Big Challenge is less than a week away from being completed! If you are just joining us don’t worry, start at the beginning and leave me notes along the way! Over the past two weeks we’ve affirmed, imagined, believed, prayed, forgiven, served, detailed, gotten outside of our comfort zone, set intentions, asked others to pray for us and now we are going to take a long hard look at the people we surround ourselves with.

As you take your spiritual walk and it becomes an every day habit you may find there are people who no longer fall in line with the new vision you have created for yourself. It doesn’t mean they are wrong or you are better than they are. It just means that you may have evolved and you may not be able to take everyone with you on your journey. As we roll into the last week of our challenge take a long hard look at the people you associate with the most with. Make sure you have a core group of people who you can lean on when you need strength, who will support your highest good, and who will support your dreams. This is very important on day number 15 as we move into day number 16 because we’ll need to call on our inner circle for tomorrow's challenge. It’s true, birds of a feather DO flock together so, ask yourself… are the people in your life supporting you as you fly high? Are these people helping you to shine the light in dark places or are they making light places dark? You can love someone and let them go. Letting them go may actually be the best then for both of your souls development.

DAY FIFTEEN: SURROUND YOURSELF WITH PEOPLE WHO WILL SUPPORT YOUR DREAM.

Day No. 14 of The 21 Day Dream Big Challenge

Day Fourteen: Find a prayer partner. We are just one week away from concluding The 21 Day Dream Big Challenge and by now you should be seeing some real changes! Over the past two weeks we’ve affirmed, imagined, believed, prayed, forgiven, served, detailed, gotten out of our comfort zone and now we need to find another person who will hold our vision in prayer with us.

Sometimes, we are so close to what we want we can’t see the forest for the trees. It’s right there in front of us but we may have a hard time manifesting the dream. Or, we may be getting close to what want and we’re too afraid to claim our greatness. This is when we need a prayer partner who can pray for us or with us. If you are really committed to making your dream come true, you will set up a daily time to pray with your prayer partner until your dream is realized. If that is too much at this time, then make an appointment for a weekly prayer session with someone who will hold your vision in consciousness. There is power were two or more are gathered in His name. There is power when two or more are gather or your good!

DAY FOURTEEN: FIND A PRAYER PARTNER

Day No. 13 of The 21 Day Dream Big Challenge

Day Thirteen: Push yourself to try something new. This is lucky day 13 of The 21 Day Dream Big Challenge! We’ve affirmed, imagined, believed, prayed, forgiven, served, detailed and now we are going to push ourselves outside of our comfort zone. Today I’m asking you to do something new and/or to do something you never thought you could. When you succeed… AND YOU WILL…. you will have reaffirmed your faith that you can do anything you set your mind to.

I got this idea while biking this morning. When I started out I had just hit the bike trail when I got a flat. I had to turn around and WALK my bike back to a nearby bike shop to get it serviced. Luckily I had not gotten very far on the trail and the newly opened bike shop was there to pick the piece of glass out of my tire, fix the flat, and send me on my way. As I was riding I decided that I wasn’t going to do the 17 miles I originally set out to do. I was going to go the whole way, 23 miles round trip! I thought, if I take my time, ride easy, and tell myself I can make it then I WILL make it to the end. When I got back home I realized I could do anything I set my mind to and so can you. So, why can’t we manifest our greatest desires? There is no reason we can’t. We can do anything we set our minds to do. Try a new task, a new recipe, sport, dance, arts and craft, anything you’ve wanted to do but thought you couldn’t. When you accomplish your goal you will be building up your faith energy and as we learned earlier, faith supports your dreams and helps them come true.

DAY THIRTEEN: PUSH YOURSELF TO TRY SOMETHING NEW

Day No. 12 of The Dream Big Challenge

Day Twelve: Examine your wants in detail and fine tune as needed. We are closing in on the last week of The 21 Day Dream Big Challenge. Having affirmed, imagined, believed, prayed, forgiven, and served it is time to reflect and look at our wants in detail. By now things you dreamed of should have begun to manifest. You should be experiencing a shift in consciousness and things should be getting drawn to you. Now need to take a long hard look at our dreams and make any adjustments to our affirmations, beliefs and prayers.

This is where I will repeat the saying, “be careful what you ask for because you just might get it”. I am focusing on attracting prosperity and many opportunities have opened up for me since I begun this challenge. In fact, I may not be able to manage all these wonderful new opportunities that are being presented to me. So, I have to get very specific about how many projects I want, who I will be working for, where I will be working and how these experiences will tie into my ultimate dream that I will manifest over the next five years. I will readjust my affirmations and prayers to support a fine tuned idea of what I want to attract and I believe with complete faith that my dreams will come true.

DAY NUMBER TWELVE: EXAMINE YOUR WANTS IN DETAIL AND FINE TUNE AS NEEDED

Day No. 11 of The 21 Day Dream Big Challenge

Day Eleven: Be of service to others. We have crossed the half way mark on The 21 Day Dream Big Challenge. We’ve spent a lot of time affirming, thinking, imagining, believing, praying, forgiving and now, similar to the concept of giving, today we get outside of ourselves and become of service to others. We know there is a national charge from President Obama and the First Lady to volunteer and serve others. This is actually a very spiritual concept. Unselfish service is marked by humility and will give meaning to your life. Your dreams will be that more sweeter, that more fulfilled, when you have served others.

I found this quote by writer by Bill Maxwell that sums it up better than I can: “In addition to striving to achieve personal success, go out and serve others. By service to others, I do not mean quid pro quo - doing a deed in return for an equal or similar deed. I am talking about unselfish kindness and generosity, acts that validate your good fortune, that give meaning to your lives and, above all, that sustain and dignify the lives of others”.

There are so many ways you can serve… volunteer at church, tutor a child, read to a shut-in, check in on the seniors in your community, get involved in your neighborhood civic association or volunteer at your Alma Mata. The list is endless. The point is to be of service, to get outside of yourself and to create a well-balanced, meaningful life where you can function as your most authentic, highest, self. You will feel better about your life and in turn your life will become better.

DAY NUMBER ELEVEN: BE OF SERVICE TO OTHERS