Dream a Little Dream ❋

What are your dreams?

Have you thought about them recently?

Do they bring you happiness just to visualize them?
Are they in a place you can see them every day?

If you aren't dreaming maybe you just need to start with a blank page. Add words and pictures that represent the things that:

❋ Make you happy
❋ Give you joy
❋ You want more of in your life
❋ Changes you want to make
❋ Places you want to go
❋ Your new job
❋ Your life goals

Once you see them it's easy to focus on them and make them come true. We all deserve to follow our dreams, and we should never be done dreaming.

Dream until your dreams come true ♥
XOXO

" I have the power to change my life and follow my dreams".

Gifts of Gratitude ♥

How thankful are you really? Does it show?

Do you begin each day thinking about what you're grateful for? 

5 weeks ago I started a making a daily list of just 3 things I am grateful for on that given day. The first few weeks I was definitely grateful for my phone since I put in a daily reminder for me to do this! I can say that I don't need the reminder now since it is usually the first thing I do as I sit down to my computer with my cup of coffee in the morning.

Acknowledging my gratitude has made me focus on something positive at the very start of my day and I know it is making my days begin with a smile and a lighter heart.

How can you incorporate some gratitude in your life?
It is so important to be thankful for the people in your life and all of the gifts of the day. 

Whether you make a list, send a text, write an e-mail, mail a card, or actually make a call - Let the people in your life know how important they are to you and how grateful you are to have them in your life.

It will come back to you and enrich your life. 
You'll get the very best kind of gifts.
XOXO 

" I have the power to change my life and follow my dreams".

Who is Your Inspiration?

Who are the people that inspire you?

I love to start every post with an inspirational quote that is on the topic I am writing about. The people who have made these statements, written books, or sung songs with beautiful words and phrases that inspire me. I love reading their words and seeing them in my mind as I continue on the topic. 

Are there people that every time you see them, hear someone refer to them, or read something from them, that just gives you that feeling of awe and bliss? 

I decided to write some poetry yesterday and looked up some current authors. Well I hadn't written any poetry since high school but I found the current Poet Laureate Charles Wright and read some of his works. He wrote a poem called Flannery's Angel that I just love. I have now read it over and over. I put it on a word document (called favorite poems) so I could easily refer to it and I think I have probably read it now 20 times! (It's only 8 lines!) 

Do you have people that inspire you and fill your mind with those images and words? Allow them to mentor you in your life's journey. Block out the negative by adding in more positive things to think about and remember.

How can you be someone who inspires others?
I hope I can, how about you?
XOXO

" I have the power to change my life and follow my dreams".

Signs

Have you ever had something happen that made you feel "This is a sign". Something that you wished would happen and it did, or how on rare moments things can fall perfectly into place. How wonderful is that feeling when you know - this was meant to be.

7 years ago I made a decision to leave a company I was with for almost 16 years. It was past time to change and I was able to grow and evolve and better myself. Since then I have made other moves and I am now changing my career again!

While some signs may not bowl you over with an immediate impact, are you picking up all the signs that are being put out there for you? Are you open to receiving them? Are you willing to make changes? Most of these signs are telling us something that involves change and change can be hard but rewarding.

What is your passion? How can you incorporate that into your work? What needs to change in your life to make your dreams your reality? What makes you truly happy?  

Don't miss the signs.
XOXO

" I have the power to change my life and follow my dreams".

Here comes the rain......

Living in Florida I can often feel the rain coming. It can happen slow or fast. The dark clouds seem to gather, the sky becomes less and less blue, and then there it is.

The wonderful thing about living here is the rain doesn't usually last long.

It comes, goes, and for the most part you might never know it even happened. But if your lucky enough to see it, feel it, smell it, it can be glorious.

Take time to feel the rain.
Thank God for the beautiful nature all around us and enjoy all of it. Even if it is only a summer shower.
XOXO

" I have the power to change my life and follow my dreams".

Spa ~ Retreat

"Sometimes the cure for restlessness is rest."

Colleen Wainwright 

Spa ~ Retreat

What kind of image does that bring up for you?
Somewhere you've been?
Something you've seen?
Something you've wished for?

On our honeymoon my husband and I stayed at a beautiful retreat in Sonoma, California. I brought home candles, soaps, and lotions that we used while there to remind me of that wonderful place. Just the smell of jasmine can bring back the memories of the flowers on our balcony. Seeing wisteria reminds me of a winery we visited with lovely gardens.

Is there somewhere in your home that you would call the place you love to spend time in? Somewhere to go to get centered, and let your worries melt away.....
The place that makes you feel the coziest and you can dream or remember.

If you don't have that place you should take the time to create one. A room, a corner, just somewhere that you can sit down, curl up and relax. Put on you favorite music, light a candle, read a book, or just let everything stop and do nothing at all.

You deserve to make YOU a priority and visit your own retreat.
XOXO

" I have the power to change my life and follow my dreams".

You are beautiful just the way you are!

"Each morning when I open my eyes I say to myself; I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn't arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I’m going to be happy in it."Groucho Marx

How many times have you said "if only I could...... loose weight, be more fit, make more money or change something, I know I will be happy."

It's great to have goals but when you love yourself for who you are right now you project strength, confidence and someone people want to have around.

It's important to shut out those negative thoughts and replace them with positive feelings. Recognize the negative so you can turn it around quickly. Keep telling yourself how happy you are with today and you WILL believe it and it will show.

Remember there is only one today.
XOXO

" I have the power to change my life and follow my dreams".

Stay True to Yourself

"Be true to yourself. Make each day a masterpiece. Help others. Drink deeply from good books. Make friendship a fine art. Build a shelter against a rainy day."

John Wooden

To Thine on self be true as Shakespeare wrote.

Are you doing things that are true to you? Are you taking your talents and applying them to things that can make you happy and spread that happiness to others?

Start by asking yourself:

• Is this really what I am to do with my life?
• What are my dreams?
• Am I allowing myself to go down the path that will get me there?
• Am I thinking every day about my purpose?
• What really makes me happy and feeds my soul?
• What is it that when I am able to do it fills my heart with joy?

Try to get yourself in-tune with your purpose. Do you know what you were meant to do? Is your inner voice calling out to you, and are you listening?

Take the time to find out what gives you the most direction and will set yourself up to be the best that you were meant to be.

Start Now.

XOXO

" I have the power to change my life and follow my dreams".

 

Simple Tasks

"I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble."

Helen Keller

What are you thinking as your washing dishes, running the sweeper, or making your bed? Can you see the task accomplished and know how this will make you feel? Are you thankful for the health you have that you can do these things for yourself?

I am a list maker. I love to see my tasks crossed off my list! This brings me joy to know I have accomplished and finished something, even if it is the smallest of tasks like making my bed.

While you may not write down making your bed on your list, as you do it you can mentally check it off as a job well done! 

Are you thinking happy thoughts as you do these tasks? Don't find yourself silently complaining about having to do these things. Make a point to take advantage of these moments to focus on something positive.

You can take yourself somewhere else, sing your favorite song, or thank god for your many blessings.
XOXO 

" I have the power to change my life and follow my dreams".

Butterflies are Free

"Happiness is a butterfly, which when pursued, is always just beyond your grasp, but which, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you."

Nathaniel Hawthorne

This morning while walking my beautiful Frenchie Beau we encountered several butterflies. They were PINK! WOW ~ how great is that!

They were so enchanting fluttering around the yard. I tried my best to capture them on camera but they were too quick, or I was too slow trying to maneuver Beau's leash and my phone.

I watched them in awe as they danced through my yard and I felt lighter and happier just standing still in their presence.

Can this feeling be taken through my day? Through my weekend?

What mental picture can you conjure up to put a smile on your face and happiness in your heart? It could be a sweet pet, a loving spouse, wonderful children, the blooming gardenias in your yard, the warmth of the sunshine, the mist of the afternoon rain, or dancing butterflies.

Whatever it is, draw from those magnificent images and let them fill your days.

It will make you lighter and hopefully free like the butterflies!
XOXO

" I have the power to change my life and follow my dreams".

Secrets

"If we knew each other's secrets, what comforts we should find."

John Churton Collins

Sometimes it is an issue of feeling safe to keep a secret. Sometimes we are embarrassed and don't want anyone to find out our secrets.
Do you have someone to share your secrets with?

Would you if you could? 

My secrets that I and have been able to share have empowered me.
I felt some were lessons I needed to share, mistakes I've made, and things that have happened to me that were beyond my control.

If you can't share them then maybe write about it. You can toss it afterwards or save it to re-read it later. Just putting your feelings out there in some way can help.

We all want to be the best we can be and sharing with someone who cares about you is a powerful thing. 
XOXO

" I have the power to change my life and follow my dreams".

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

"Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud."

Maya Angelou

As a young girl walking home from school many a day,I remember singing this song from The Wizard of Oz. I would love to try to imitate Judy Garland and sing the song like she did. 

Music was always important in my house. My mother had a wonderful voice and sang to us every day. It made you feel good and there is nothing like a happy song to lift you up.

Do you put on a happy song, sing an upbeat tune? 

Are you looking for the rainbows in your day?

They may not come in the actual sky but how many blessings are you given every day that you miss?

Open your eyes and your heart.

Don't see the clouds ~ look for the rainbows !
XOXO

" I have the power to change my life and follow my dreams".

The Strength of a Compliment

"Sometimes just a single genuine smile or compliment can lift a persons spirits to new heights."

Senora Roy


Pass it on! 

Do you have someone in your life that taught you to be kind? How to say just the right thing at the right time?

For me it was my Dad. He was a master at giving compliments. He made you feel so good. I love the way he could say the simplest thing and it warmed your heart. He would call me and tell me he missed hearing my voice. WOW, so powerful and loving. He always made me feel very important. And that in turn made me know I was loved.

Do you give this to others? It's so easy and means so much. Make a point to do this more often. I want to make someone in my life feel this way every day.

The more you are able to compliment others the more you will get back. 

Thank you Rachael for telling me I am like Papa! What a wonderful compliment. You made my day.

Like I said to you earlier ~ must run in the family cause you definitely got the compliment gene.

It only takes a minute but could mean so much to the special person getting it, and give you happiness and joy. 
XOXO

" I have the power to change my life and follow my dreams".

Smile

“If you have only one smile in you, give it to the people you love. Don't be surly at home, then go out in the street and start grinning 'Good morning' at total strangers.”
― Maya Angelou

I was leaving the grocery store yesterday when behind me a gentleman said in my ear "Happy Fathers Day". I turned and thanked him. He was smiling and said this to a woman approaching us. She said "I'm not a father" and kept on walking. He turned to me and said it's not about being a Father, it's about celebrating!

His smile was infectious and my daughter and I watched him as he went through the parking lot shaking hands and wishing everyone Happy Fathers Day!

Oh what joy he had and was spreading! It certainly made me smile and I was glad he had found us to wish happiness upon.

So smile today, enjoy your Fathers Day, even if your not a father.
Life is worth celebrating. :-)
XOXO

" I have the power to change my life and follow my dreams".

Bloom Where Your Planted

"Love is like a flower-you've got to let it grow."
— John Lennon

Life's many lessons.

How do we take things that have happened to us and understand why? How can we turn a negative into a positive when it seems so awful? 

We all have baggage BUT we all have people, places, or happy thoughts that can get us through tough times. How do we get more of those and less of the others? 

Instead of asking "why is or did this happen to me", why not ask "what is or was the lesson in this"? How can I use this for something positive in my life or others?

Turn your weeds into flowers that can grow and bloom into beautiful flowers. 
XOXO

" I have the power to change my life and follow my dreams".

TGIF

"Delete the negative; accentuate the positive!"

Donna Karan

Don't you just love Fridays!
The promise of the weekend where things can slow down and you can do some things that YOU want to do. 
I love to do things during my weekend that will ease my week but also try to fit in "me time". 

I know I need to turn off my TV more, spend more time reading, writing and enjoying the beautiful outdoors.

Try to block out time for just that on your weekend, and when you succeed ~ smile it will all make you feel good and allow you to share those positive feelings.

Sunday is Father's Day. I will be celebrating my husband, brothers, and brother in-laws and feeling blessed to have each of them in my life. I will also be thinking about my wonderful Father that I miss terribly but have so many great memories to rejoice in and to be thankful for.

Make new memories, smile be happy and spread the love!
XOXO

" I have the power to change my life and follow my dreams".

The Power of You!

"I do believe we're all connected. I do believe in positive energy. I do believe in the power of prayer. I do believe in putting good out into the world. And I believe in taking care of each other."

Harvey Fierstein

Beginning today I am changing my life with more, and more, and more positive thoughts and actions. I know I am an optimistic person. Thank God I got this from my parents. They were two great role models and showed me how to treat the people in your lives that you love, and how to make the most of every situation.

My parents loved one another. They showed that love to me daily. Because I saw how they loved each other and our family, I know what it is like to live with love, and I am grateful for them every day of my life.

How can I take what I have and share it with others?

How can I build on this and make it a part of not just my home life but permeate every thing I do?

How can I spread happiness and positivity?
XOXO

" I have the power to change my life and follow my dreams".