Category Archives: Acceptance

What To Do When Things Turn Rotten

horizons i-promised-you-forever-phil-koch

“I am frequently asked what to do when things go rotten. I thought I would attempt to answer with another example. It can be tough for the positive thinker when suddenly things mount up, circumstance seem  to turn south and nothing works as one would hope. What do you do? First thing.  I prefer to think in terms of ‘less than glorious.’

A couple posts back I referred to my New Years’s Eve. I got a flat and plans interrupted. I will continue with the events post NYE but let it be known; some may think what I relate is nothing, not challenging at all. Others may think it quite the ordeal. I think of it as It IS what it IS. It is because, of how others may regard these events it serves the purpose to illustrate ‘less than glorious’ or when plans change.

I had no luck on the New Year day finding a place open that could change the tire, fix the tire or sell me a new one. EVEN Walmart said nope. On Saturday I found a dealer not too far away from me, hooray! They might be able to fix or replace the flat. Months earlier the other front tire was flat, but I added ‘fix a flat’ and hadn’t had a problem.

Hey, You! Things Change

Since, I was getting the one worked on I thought might as well do two. Neither could be repaired one because of the ‘fix a flat’ the other where the hole was.  They said they’d call me when done. They close at 6pm. At 5 I had still not heard back. I called them. It turned out I needed a new wheel for one.

As it was close of day, Monday would be earliest they MIGHT be able to find one. Dealer new or aftermarket. The price significantly different. On Monday they searched. Close to mid afternoon they announced no luck locally. They could get a used one in but it would take two business days. The wheel cost around 300.00. I already paid for the two tires so the install would be free.

‘Good thing I am rich’, I always think. ‘There is more where that came from’. I am doing my share keeping money circulating. That is when money actually has some value when it is changing hands.  Life is life. Things cost. Little things out of whack or big things out of whack it is virtually the same. Little blessings and big blessings. What is IS! Celebrate and enjoy.

Get Over Yourself

Disclaimer: I am telling you my thoughts and what I think. Wealth is an attitude. Abundance is a state of mind. I have less than some and more than others at varying times. What I have access too, we all do is beyond imagination. There is plenty everywhere, OR, there is scarcity everywhere. It depends on how you view it. How you view it determines how you feel. How you feel determines how you view it!

The time I spent at the tire store on Saturday meant I missed an important tech phone call to fix computer issues. It will have to be re-scheduled for sometime in the future. I know not when. Such is life. The wheel appointment is set for Wednesday. I have to cancel another meeting, that was set for the same time, because it is the only time the party could make it.  Oh, well.

Change is what life is all about. We change, we grow. We grow, we change. Days change, weather changes, everything changes. It is when we resist change that we seem to suffer so much. It is much better to learn to be able to go with the flow. This is why I think, ‘Things ALWAYS work out the best for me’, even when it is not obvious how, yet. Attitude is everything! Things work out always!

Things Always Work Out In The Long Run

I had an appointment today and had to use my car. Luckily, I made my appointment and back without trouble. I stopped to pick up Thai food for dinner with my daughter. After sitting and waiting for about 20 minutes the server announced they ran out of chicken. They had enough for one chicken dish but not two.  I cancelled one, kept a chicken dish and a beef dish I had ordered.

Some minutes later they brought my food. I paid the bill, sans the one meal and went home ready for a nap. I was completely exhausted today. On the way home my son calls to remind me I had promised to take him snow boarding today. I totally forgot. I now scramble to make sure to pick him up and then remember my tiny spare issue.

This meant I had to commandeer my other car away from my daughter and disrupt her plans. The car with the tiny spare isn’t safe to go on the freeways, nor is it wise, since I no longer have a spare to utilize. My daughter, god love her, I do, accepts that she can take my tiny wheel car but not where she wanted to go. She can use it, just locally.

Change Is A Constant – Might As Well Learn To Embrace It

Those are my restrictions. I don’t want her stuck in the cold at night. We swap cars. Hers of course is out of gas, but dad fills it. I had to fill mine too on the way home. I get home. The way they packed the food in the containers, meant most of the sauce is now in the bottom of the bag. I remove containers dripping wet. I open the food and there is virtually NO chicken in the dish.

There are a few, four or five tiny thinly sliced pieces, lost inside a big container of sauce and vegetables. In no way could anyone call this a chicken curry. Curry yes, vegetable curry, yes. chicken, nope! Again, oh well. I scooped out a couple pieces of chicken along with the curry sauce and vegetable and rushed my meal so I could get my boy. What was there was tasty. Our plans for the evening changed.

The dinner I looked forward to, and had called her to ask what she wanted, wasn’t going to happen together. I had forgot about my prior commitment to my son. She’ll eat alone later. She ate with her boyfriend and said, ‘hey you ate all the chicken’. I hadn’t, I split what was there with her. She wasn’t upset. She was just commenting. Both of them enjoyed the food. It was his first time. They were good.

Feeling Stressed And Angry Won’t Make You Feel Better

I got my son, we got gas, we went to the ski hill. I love watching him snowboard when I can locate him on the hillside. He saw me sitting at the window and gave me a big wave. All is good. In fact, all has been good. I made it through the day, with a good attitude and steady emotions. I mentioned in my other post years ago I’d be pissed, seething. Little things bugged me.

Now, I realize sooner this is what is going on. Life is happening. There is nothing to do about it. To complain and lose my cool won’t change anything. It may only make them worse. I know I’d sure feel worse. I’d feel stressed, unlucky, a victim of circumstances. THIS is simply how things are. Accept it, enjoy what is. Who knows how it will turn out. I expect it will turn out well, if not now, eventually.

If you can’t change it accept it. Embrace it. Dive into it because you may just discover something wonderful. Hindsight is 20/20. Nothing may seem apparent right away but perhaps, down the road. Maybe even a year or two from now I’ll look back on the days of my NYE and beyond tire/wheel fix and realize something great was happening. Who knows? I certainly don’t. Anything and everything is possible. All is as it is. Go with the flow and enjoy the adventure.

What Do You Want To Feel?

All I can do is trust and remember, ‘I always land on my feet.’ It is awesome to be alive and enjoy so many incredible people, places, things and opportunities. I am able to drive and go places. Others may not be so lucky. Given this, I prefer to celebrate everything instead of bitch about it. I prefer to let go of problems and count blessings. I prefer to feel blessed no matter what is occurring.

Do I always. Nope, can’t say that I do. Do I get hooked and caught up, of course. It is less frequent but it happens. I realize sooner, rather than later that I have a decision, a choice to make; suffer and burn, OR let go and accept. The freeway surrender meditation helps a lot. It is all about learning to go with the flow. Learning to surrender, to accept what is, We need to learn how to feel blessed, always.

Some days go more smoothly, other days less smoothly. That is just the way it is. If we can feel in harmony more of the time life is better. If we feel discord less, life is better. It is our choice at any moment. We need to learn to respond instead of react. Most of us grew up reacting to what goes on instead of consciously responding to what happens. We can learn the difference and we can learn to respond.

What Is Important To You?

Hey, I am no example. I am not claiming to be. I am just pointing out that not everything goes according to plan just because you think positive. However, because you think positive, disruptions small or large don’t have to be so bad. Positive thinking takes the sting out of it. A positive attitude does make everything better. It isn’t magic but it seems like it at times. There is no substitute for a positive mindset!

Let go. Live! Enjoy! Prioritize. Determine how you want to spend your moments. Would you rather burn and be mad or is celebrating and enjoying more important to you? That is good to keep in mind. Personally, I  prefer the latter one. It is more fun and desirable. If it is for you too, congratulations and kudos. If it isn’t yet, it can be! You will get the knack of it. I promise, you will. Let go and delight! Embrace and enjoy the adventure! It isn’t over yet!!”  Rex Sikes

Everyday counts!

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How To Eliminate Stress, Get Your Goals, And Live Well In New Year

horizons i-know-you-will-always-be-there-phil-koch

“Holidays and post holiday can be a time of joy and a time of stress. Preparations and wanting everything perfect can add pressures where you hope none would exist. The New Year brings pressure as people try to keep resolutions they have made.

To avoid stress and burn out let it all go. Decide to enjoy it for whatever it is. It doesn’t have to be perfect. What is perfect is you have the opportunity to gather with friends and family. Make relationships your priority, not events.

Make Your Relationships Your Priority – Enjoy The Love  

As for resolutions, make one main resolution you intend to keep. Focus on that one. If you make a list of everything you want to change it may be too much at one time. Begin with one you really want and you will commit to. That will reduce stress and more likely ensure your success.

One goal at a time. You can set multiple goals but take care of them one by one. Don’t try to do them all at once. It is easier and much more manageable this way. You are more likely to stay committed the easier you make it. You can combine a few into one. For example, you want to get healthier. Wrap a few changes into one change.

Decide on a reasonable gym or exercise schedule you can keep. Proceed slowly. Take a few days a just walk the track. Water walk in the pool for a week. Sauna or steam. Ease into it. Don’t rush in and pound the weights. Build up to it. It is better to spend 20 minute working out and build to an hour than staring big first and quitting.

The New Year Brings Opportunity To Begin New And Fresh

You can decide you want to eat healthier, too. Choose what you will eat over what you won’t eat. You can eliminate but take it easy. Commit to eating an extra serving of fruit and vegetables, or drinking an extra bottle or two of water. Go to bed a half hour earlier if you want more rest. Tiny changes add up!

Do this for a month or more. Success breeds success. If you take it bit by bit and ease into it gently you gather up wins. The more you win and feel good the more likely you will continue. As you win at this and make it a habit you can begin on something else. Work that new goal the same way.

Learn to let go of stress. Take time for yourself. Even five minutes at a time, to close your eyes, let go, imagine pleasant moments, and breath deeply can work wonders. Take some deep breaths. Learn how to breath properly. Take up some mild form of meditation. Little snatched relaxing moments through the day can de-stress MUCH!

Drop By Drop The Tub Fills

Take small amounts of time. That IS easier than committing to hours. Drop by drop the tub fills. Inch by inch, step by step you get there. Perhaps, not as quick but you are more likely to get there slow and steady than if you rush, do too much and burn out. Slow and steady wins the race. Remember, the tortoise won!

Read more. Reduce TV and computer time. Spend less social media and news time. Go for walks. Drink more water. Rest more frequently. Take baths. Get some massages. When weather permits walk barefoot as much as possible. Enjoy the earth, contact it. Lie on the ground. Picnic. Get some fresh air. Get the right amount of sun.

Limit exposure to toxins in food, drink, and air. Stop putting bad chemicals on your body in soaps, shampoos, perfumes, and make-up. Get organic or chemical free. Try scent free detergents, etc. Go a bit more natural and organic. Limit cell phone use, texting, emails etc.

Go More Natural Its Okay To Be Human

You may not give up everything at once. In fact, don’t! I don’t want you to try it all at once. Simply, bit by bit claim your life, your time, your space and your health back. Let go of that which is not important. Again, meditation can be great for learning to let go. Spend time with friends, family, children, and pets. Have fun.

Make being alive and enjoying your relationships and each day a priority. Smile more, laugh more, sing and dance more. Look for the positive and think positive. Fill your mind with positive inspirational messages by reading and listening. Practice gratefulness each day by counting your blessings and feeling thankful!

Go to educational seminars and events. Enjoy church or temple or similar supportive social gatherings. Hang out with happy, optimistic people. Make new friends. Help others in need, those you know and strangers. Give more and become a good receiver, too. Little by little you can reduce stress and increase enjoyment.

Practice Singular Focus And Gratitude

Stay focused on one change at a time you will accomplish more. You will accomplish much more over time than you could ever imagine. Stop multi-tasking and use singular focus. Simplify, simplify, simplify. Have fun making changes and letting go. The effects are cumulative and you will be surprised and delighted. Enjoy and celebrate everything!” Rex Sikes

Make your moments marvelous!

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It’s A New Year! Life Plans Change. So What? Do This

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“What do you do when life throws your a curve ball? Something happens other than what you hoped for. Everything gets shaken up a bit. You have an opportunity to go with the changes or try to fight to keep the old way from slipping away. What do you do? You can react or respond to whatever is happening.

It was New Year’s Eve and I was to dinner party with dear friends. I purchased a nice bottle of wine and some expensive cheese to bring. I was looking forward to the evening with fine people. I prepared, got ready and went out the door. The evening cold, in the 20s. F

I got about 2 blocks from the house and noticed the car ride a bit strange. I stopped, got out, but since it was dark I couldn’t see behind the headlights. I felt the passenger side front tire and it was pretty pancaked. I had a flat. Luckily, there is a service station another couple blocks.

Sometimes Things Don’t Go As Planned

If I can get there without slicing up the tire, great. I can purchase a can of ‘fix a flat’ hope that works and fill the tire with air and be on my way. I get there and park near the air pump. I go in to borrow a tire gauge and get the can of tire foam. These station doesn’t sell anything like that, I am told. WOW! Well okay, I actually have one in my car.

BUT it is too cold to use. I try but nothing will come out. So I go for the air. Nope, the pins don’t line up and the air won’t go in. My hands at this point are becoming numb. A guy, in a truck, pulls up, asks me what’s wrong. Turns out he overheard me while in the station trying to secure a warm can of ‘fix a flat’. He throws a spot on.

He tries to put air in the tire too. Nope, it is not going in. My hands hurt. He says, ‘why not leave it here. It is open 24 hours. I’ll give you a lift home.’ I move the car, grab the wine, but drop it, it shatters. Grab the cheese and go in to return the gage. Turns out I can keep the car there but not where I parked it. So I move it.

Do You React Or Respond

I get in Kevin’s truck. I asked his name, told him mine, we shook hands. ‘Do you like cheese?’ I asked the odd ball question. ‘Here is some nice cheese’. And I put it on his console. He drove me home. I said thanks and Happy New Year. Entered the house. Called my daughter, wished her a nice evening and hunkered down.

New Years Day, I have a date with a tow truck. Hopefully, I can get the tire fixed or replaced. I could have called a tow truck, put on spare and traveled on, but really didn’t want to spend time waiting in a gas station. I could have. Home was more comfortable. I called my friends, told my host the news, apologized, and enjoyed some time alone.

What IS is. What to do about it? I was pleased none of this ruffled my feathers. Years back, I would not have been so even about it. I would have reacted poorly. Now, this time, it was different. More how I would hope it to be. Still, I did nothing special other than accept what was going on. I simply responded to what was happening.

Do You Like Cheese

I was quickly able to realize this is what IS. There is no reason to fight it or be dismayed. No reason to curse or swear or get upset because things went differently than anticipated. Maybe something good will come of this I can’t yet see. Who knows? Maybe maybe not.

My practice of surrender on the roadway seems to be paying off. You can find it within this blog in other posts of mine. I have mentioned it before.  BUT in a nutshell here it is:

I have a theory that the best modern day opportunity to learn surrender and ‘going with the flow’ is in traffic. If anything presses our buttons it is getting stuck, a’hole drivers going to fast or riding our ass. Stupid slow drivers who can’t move fast enough or turn and get out of our way. Yup, traffic is a great place to let it all go.

Some may be tempted to think, ‘well that NYE thingee really is all that big of deal’ and no it wasn’t. Rehearse and practice acceptance with little things, and you can inch your way up to bigger things. Practice letting go and accepting what is in traffic, and in everyday life.  Ultimately you build a habit of learning to respond.

Life Is Ultimately What You Make It

Fewer things will get us. We freak out less. We increase our batting average but we may never be perfect. OR maybe we will, who knows. It is pretty much going to be up to what we believe it will be like. Our expectations shape our reality. Life seems to be about learning and evolving. We learn to evolve to let go and enjoy more!

So, I watched some TV, read a little. I was going to open a bottle of wine and pour a glass but I didn’t. Soon, I fell asleep, just nodded off. New Year’s Eve came and went. I must have needed the rest. I woke at 2:39 am and realized I had yet to write my blog. Well, this is it. Happy New Year Everyone!!!

If you can’t change it don’t fight it. Accept it. There is something else available for you when you allow for it. I had a pleasant, uneventful evening at home. The year changed over and now wonderful new opportunities exist. They always exist! Opportunity is there when you need it. As are good samaritan’s, frequently. Thanks Kevin!” Rex Sikes

It is a new day! Celebrate!

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I Affirm Myself! What Do You Do? Yes, It Matters

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“I don’t want not having immediately be the basis for not having forever. I want to burn my ships and leave no way out but forward to success. I want to remain dedicated, passionate, faithful, convinced, expectant even when there is no evidence of progress. When it seems the tides are against me and nothing is working I want to remain true.

I want to intensify my desire for making my dreams come true while waiting. I want to make a little progress every day and never waver in knowing I will prevail. Even if I don’t succeed, as much as I want, I will have done so much more than if I do nothing to make it happen. Even if I miss the mark I made more progress during the journey.

I want my thoughts and my feelings to be aligned, congruent; my concentration, my focus, my energy, to be singular on my purpose. I want being and doing and having what I want to be dominant in my conscious and unconscious mind. I want to learn from each second how to be more positive, powerful, purposeful and accepting, allowing and receptive.

What You Say Is What You Get

I want to go after what I want fully. No way out. No excuses. No doubts or fears, but positive in every atom, ever cell, every fiber of my being. I want to believe in myself and discover that I am truly an emperor inside and out. I am a winner and a champion. I am a victor. I will never allow myself to be a victim of others, circumstances, events, or my own thinking.

I will be triumphant. I will win, conquer and evolve. I will succeed in ways currently beyond the limits of my imagination and discover myself delighted along the way.  I will celebrate and be grateful for everything always. Whatever IS is! I will look at the good within, and find it. I will celebrate because that IS what is in the moment.

What I can not yet see is all the unexpected good coming my way. Goodness comes to me. I always land on my feet. I always win even in ways I don’t completely understand. Adversity has always been my friend even when I didn’t embrace it. There is always something marvelous to find. Seek and you will find it. Knock and it will be opened. I do and it is! I will keep an open mind and an open heart.

 Affirm Yourself – Declare What Is – Make It Happen – And So It Is

I will ask, I will seek and I will continue to knock until I have the response from the universe I seek. I put in my order and I claim it. I wait for it as I do a meal in a cafe. Behind the scenes everything is being prepared. They are making a dish from my orders. They will deliver it. I only need to enjoy the time waiting. It is coming! It is mine!” Rex Sikes

Today is my day!

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Horizons photo used with permission of Phil Koch.

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What To Do After You Give Thanks!

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“Did you enjoy giving thanksgiving?  Were you able to get together with family and friends. That is a reason to celebrate and be glad.

If you took time to feel grateful for all the good things in your life, do it again. Do it today. Then do it again and again. Count your blessings. What do you do after you give thanks? Give thanks again!

Feel the gratitude. Celebrate those feelings. When you do you make room for there to be more in your life. Like attracts like. When you look for and find people, events and circumstances to appreciate you get back more.

Keep giving thanks! Keep feeling the thankfulness. Wonderful things will happen as you do. Appreciate the tough times for what you can learn by going through them. Every moment is a moment to be thankful for and an opportunity to feel grateful. Keep it up!

If it helps to make a list make one. List big and small things to feel thankful for. First thing in the morning and right before you go to bed are great times to put your thoughts on gratefulness. Never let the sun go down feeling bad, irritated or angry with yourself, another or circumstances. Feel good, feel great when going to sleep.

That is time when your subconscious mind processes, clears, renews for the next day. If you are filled with joy, love, peace and happiness; if you energy is on all good and wonderful moments you had during your day, you set yourself up for more in the next day. If angry or sad, you set yourself up for more of that same the following day too.

You get what you focus on. It does actually expand. Your subconscious mind gets the messages you give it by your images and what you say to yourself and others. The most powerful delivery vehicle for those messages are your feelings. SO when you are upset with people and circumstances your subconscious goes, ‘okay I get it. This is what you want more of.’ It then works to deliver more of the same.

If you want more good things you have to feel more good things more of the time so your unconscious delivers that instead of the crappy things. Do you get this? There is a reason to think positive and feel good most of the time. YOU actually do get back what you put out there. You become what you think about. That is why! Beyond this fact, it feels good to mostly feel good. Make your moments count. They either work for you or against you. Celebrate!

Enjoy all life offers. It is what is is. The serenity prayer includes, ‘…change the things I can, accept the things I cannot change and the wisdom to know the difference’. What is IS! Celebrate and enjoy. If you can’t change it don’t fight it. What you resist persists. Know when to stop and appreciate. Perhaps, in doing that, it will change. I would bet it does. Trying to change things all the time can be the problem too. Accept, enjoy, celebrate and discover. Then celebrate some more!” Rex Sikes

What can you make more special this day!

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Try This! What True Gratitude Will Do For You

horizons a-single-thought-phil-koch

“What is gratitude all about? Why do we celebrate being thankful? How is it beneficial? There are a number of positive and powerful reasons.

Some people keep a gratitude list or do a daily challenge. This is a great practice BUT it is not about the list. It is all about the feeling the list produces. Make the list AND feel grateful for each item.

Let’s face it. Everything is energy. Everything is energy appearing solid. We rarely have much intersection with energy, as science describes it, because we live in what appears to be a solid world.

What You Think About You Bring About

Ancients called our world view Maya or illusion. That which you think you are you are not. You don’t see things as they really are. You see things through your neurological filters and paradigms or belief clusters or systems.

You think you know what reality is but you are actually far removed from what is real. That is why the ancients say you live in illusion. You, me, and most everyone thinks the illusion is the reality but it is not.

Few of us become aware of what ‘reality’ is.  All of us can.  All of us could, but we don’t. When we do we don’t all do it at the same time, either. Anyway, this is an area of large philosophical discussion which we can save for another time. The point is we are energy beings in a world of energy.

Energy Begets Energy

Everything is energy! Feelings are energy. There is less than glorious or low, slow, sluggish and negative energy.mThere is light, high, fast, positive energy. The goal is to feel the positive, wonderful energy more of the time.

Why? Because when you do we feel better, you think and perform better and enjoy life more. Good feelings produce more good feelings. That is how it works. Sadly, there will be those who believe you can’t feel good all of the time. I say, if that is how you wish to live carry on. Just don’t rain on anyone else’s parade.

Would you want to feel good more of the time? Do you? If so here is how you do it. Think on those things that make you feel good. Concentrate on those elements in your present life, as well as the past and future, for which you feel blessed and glad.

You Become What You Think About Most

Recall and concentrate on those people, places, activities, events, circumstances, and attributes, that make you feel good and happy. The more time you spend ACTUALLY appreciating these the better you will feel. You WILL feel better more often. The more time we spend feeling good the more time we get to feel good.

That is the reason for making a daily list of things you FEEL grateful for. Since, birds of a feather flock together, the more you are grateful the more you find to be grateful. The more you find the better you feel. It grows on itself.

The feelings are the most important. Some people can make a list without feeling much of anything. That is not what true gratitude is. Truly, being grateful results in powerful and profound feelings. How would you feel if someone spared your life? Lucky, glad, grateful! I bet you would!!

The More We Do The More We Can Do

The biggest boon to your evolution is to be truly grateful for everything regardless of your circumstances. Count everything as a blessing. Why? Because you are limited by what you can’t see and you can’t see everything.

Illusion! You can’t, yet, see the unexpected good to come from trying circumstances. If you only see the troubles you truly deceive yourself. Every adversity has, within it, the seed of something positive and opportunity.

It just may not appear for awhile. Remember, what you focus on you get. What are you looking at? If you are looking at your dire circumstances you are forgetting about the things you are grateful for. Stay focused on what you are grateful for while passing through the circumstances.

Action Is The Proper Fruit Of Knowlege

Look to what you can be grateful about. Be grateful for anything and everything. When you can live with gratitude and appreciation for everything; even when circumstances are dire or your results less than glorious, is when you have transformed yourself in powerful, positive ways beyond limitation.

You live more enlightened. You are more enlightened. Whatever would have gotten you down, no longer does. You are filled with celebration and thankfulness because you have transformed yourself.

You are living the good life as you are meant to live. Your brain and mind and body is healthier and more efficient.  You can do things with greater ease and flow because your energy is freed up from struggle to be more creative.

What You Focus On Expands

It is positive and powerful instead of negative and powerful. When you are feeling great in this way you are vibrating high, positive, life affirming, energy. So life is good; life is great and life is grand!

This is why you want to be thankful. This is why you feed your mind positive thoughts. This is why you celebrate, even the little you have, because when you do you find more, you are capable of more and you get more. The Reticular Activating System (RAS) finds the positive wonderful, glorious things to match.

You Get Back What You Put Out

This is why you become what we think about. What you think about you bring about. What you focus on expands. You get what you focus on. SO be grateful! Truly, grateful. Focus on those things that make you feel great to be alive, that bring a tear to your eye and fill you up ecstatically!

Gratitude. Celebration. Appreciation. Love. Joy. Blessings. Count them, enjoy them, feel them, savor them! Let your cup run over with goodness and well being. Have a happy thanksgiving each and every moment of every day.” Rex Sikes

WOW! Another incredible day!

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Horizons photo used with permission of Phil Koch.

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How To Transform Troubles Into Amazing Opportunities

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“What do you do when you are trying your best to be positive and someone or something comes along and seems to rain on your parade? There are times like that. You decided I will be positive and shortly thereafter find yourself in a funk or a fight. What do you do?

Realize that all great spirits encounter opposition. Obstacles are opportunities to learn and grow. Accept what is IS what is. You can’t push a rope. Understand it takes two to tango. Recognize you part in making it happen or continuing it.

Try to imagine the other person you may be in conflict in as a mirror, or holding up a mirror for you to see what YOU need to change. Learn from circumstances in the same way. Take it as ‘the universe’ is trying to get your attention to help make you a better person. It is trying to help you fulfill your dreams.

Everyone Everything Is A Mirror Held Up So You Can See You

Stop. Let go. Reflect instead of react. Realize what the message is and when ready respond instead. There may always be tough times. Living successfully and happily doesn’t necessitate the absence of obstacles it means learning and growing from them and with them.

Stop blaming others and circumstances. Stop whining and complaining. That is only more fuel for the fire. Accept the blame. Accept the responsibility for your part in all of it. EVEN if you don’t think you have any, look to see how you may be culpable. If honest, you will notice you are a part of it. Accept it. Go beyond it.

‘The kite rises against the wind’. People, events, circumstances are that wind. Your own inner conflicts can be that wind. Remember, when pushed there is push back. When you push back YOU are responsible for your reaction. Be willing to face your part in it.

What You Resist Persists

It takes two opposing sides to fight. The world and you, the other and you. You against you. You against the world or the other. It is normal but you don’t have to fight. You aren’t weak if you don’t push back you are far stronger. You are far superior.

You are far smarter and wiser if you know which battles to fight and which to not. You are far stronger turning the other cheek. Do you realize how much ‘let go’ there is in being able to actually turn the other cheek?  Do you understand how evolved you must truly be to forgive honestly? Seek to be able to do this and you will truly benefit.

Most people don’t actually forgive, truly let go, or are capable of turning the other cheek without resentment. Imagine a world when you could be free enough, secure enough, loving enough, of yourself and others you could do that. You would actually be free!

The Kite Rises Against The Wind

The strong person isn’t concerned with their ego being bruised; does not play one up one down power games; does not try to assert their power in order to triumph over family, friends, colleagues or strangers. That strong person knows there is no need. What is IS.

The strong, wise person seeks to accept, love and understand; to rise above the ‘disagreement’ and realize the stakes each has in it and simply not participate in further aggravating the situation. Yes, it is a road less traveled. That is certain.

How does one disengage when all our hot buttons are pushed and inflamed. When we are hot and emotional. THAT is the ability we need to learn and the only way we learn it is by stepping out of it. We need to become aware when we are a partner to it.

When You Drop Something You Drop It You Don’t Try To Drop It

When we, in that moment, recognize we are part of perpetuating it, we can STOP. I use the analogy of being stuck in traffic. When stuck, you can sit and stew, fighting it won’t change it. It won’t and you know that is true. But what do you do?  You can use the time productively to relax and enjoy. To chill while waiting.

It doesn’t matter if you need to be somewhere. If traffic isn’t moving it isn’t moving. That is what is. Accept it, get over it, get on with living life. There are other things to pay attention to. There are other things far more important and enjoyable than time spent blaming the world because you are stuck in traffic. IF you can’t do anything about it LET IT GO!

The same is true when you are in a hurry. The slow asshole in front of you isn’t that slow, you are that sped up. You are pushing traffic trying to make your way through. Stop. Going faster won’t get you there that much quicker. You are all riled up. YOU are the issue not the traffic. YOU are late because of YOU no other reason.

You Can’t Push A Rope

We can interrupt the pattern. We can stop the cycle. We can take a break, a deep breath, we can stop. We can slow down, walk away. It may take time to cool down completely it usually does. The other may insist on continuing, circumstances may persist but we have stopped. Allow yourself to cool down. Endeavor to keep peace.

We learn ‘let it go’. In doing this whenever we get ‘hooked’, if we can become aware and wriggle free we are learning and evolving. The time between the trigger, getting hooked , and getting free will lessen.

We will learn to let go sooner rather than later. Eventually, we come to our senses because our senses are freed up and not engaged in anger and hostility. Learning to get free and let go and not continue to create drama by participating in it IS A process. We evolve.

Stop Take A Deep Breath And Let Go – Breath – Get Free

More clearly are we able to see. When we are free of anger and stress our brain works better. Our eyes work better. Literally. Stress, fight or flight, constricts our abilities to only focus on survival. It narrows our senses to focus on immediate need.

When dealing with most people, most all of the time, survival is not an actual issue. Though we perceive it as one physically. The brain doesn’t know the difference between a real and imagined image or a real or imagined threat. The brain and body respond the same to a perceived or real image or threat. That is a blessing and a limitation.

So when troubles come your way in the form of a family member, friend or stranger there is something to be learned. When events and circumstances are not to our liking a message is being delivered. Even if that is not actually true, if you act as if it is, you will be better off in the long run because you will become more self aware.

Let Go And Let God

Seek the road less traveled. Find the higher ground. Let go of troubles and woes and do not participate in trauma drama. Seek instead to feel better and help everyone else feel better too. Seek to think and feel positive and happy most of the time.

You can’t if you are upset and cursing the world and others. So ‘let go and let god’, as the saying goes. Trust it will all work out without you trying to manage and fix it. Trust and enjoy that all will be okay if you don’t get hot, bothered and angry. Enjoy, feel good and have fun.

Then you and life transforms. Problems, while there will lessen. You will spend more time able to focus on what you want and not get caught in what you don’t want or want to avoid. You can focus more on what you intend to create. So celebrate whenever you notice.

Deliberate Creation Is To Create Only What You Intend To Create

Use the fact that the brain can’t tell the difference between a real and imagined image to visualize the future you want! See it. Imagine it as if you already have the good you desire. This is how you use how the brain works to get what you want.

Create the future in your mind as a present reality. See it, affirm it, feel it fully! That is how you get it! What you see is what you get. What you say is what you get. What you feel is what you get. Feel how good it feels to live that life in your mind’s eye. Enjoy it!

Celebrate!  Celebrate whenever you become aware and get unhooked and walk away from a fight you need not participate in. Let go and live free. Spend your time in gratitude and loving life. When others and circumstance challenge you realize it is an opportunity to go beyond what you already know and into an entirely new way of being.” Rex Sikes

Make your day magnificent!

NOTE *** Do you like my blog posts? Do you find benefit reading them?

If yes, please share using your favorite means; Facebook, Twitter, email, reblog, Google etc. Hit the Like Button.  

Please Help Spread the word so others can benefit to.

 It means a lot to me too when you share. Please leave comments too. Thank You!

Horizons photo used with permission of Phil Koch.

GETTING CLOSER TO LAUNCHING THE NEW BLOG SITE  – The site has a new look and feel. Do you get this blog emailed to you? You will have  to again subscribe to the blog, newsletter.

Stick with me. I’d hate for you to miss anything when it switches. Subscribe and Follow Daily Inspiration and Gratitude!

What This Woman Did You Can Do To: An Amazing Story!

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Is a wonderful manifestation miracle in store for you? It sure could be. Actually, yes can be. Yes, it is. The question isn’t really, is there one but are you prepared to receive it? That really IS the question. You might think, ‘duh, yeah of course, bring it’ but that doesn’t mean you are ready. Do you believe, really believe it is possible?

Just as, ‘when the student is ready the master teacher appears’ means WHEN the student IS ready, not necessarily when the student thinks the student is. There are important ingredients.

Few people know how to receive, especially in our culture. We negate compliments. We tell people they shouldn’t gift us. We turn down or refuse kind acts. We are taught it is better to give. It is good to give. It is great to do both well!

The universe is abundant. There is more than enough goodness for everyone to enjoy without anyone having to lack. Sadly, because of politics that is not the case. Some people have way too much while others have access to nearly nothing. This is true in most countries.

Still there is plenty. You have to believe it and you have to believe you deserve it. We all do.  When you are grateful and celebrating life, when your attitude is positive and your feelings are aligned and wonderful you create, get and or attract more of the same. Keep this in mind.

Some create, get and attract less than glorious circumstances, events, and people into their lives because they maintain and sustain a negative attitude; self-talk; conversations with others; and they can’t imagine goodness or feel bad most of the time; worrying or fearful.

You have a choice at any moment what you want life to be like. Many don’t know this. They live ignorant of the fact that what their life is like is up to them. Because they miss this point they never  assert their own power or authorship of their life.

Some will claim it. Others won’t until they are ready to. Some are filled with doubt or negativity and continue that way until life gets really bad. Others, gladly trade their doubt for more options. Every second we have the choice to determine how we will live.

Our universe is amazing! We are so lucky, yet most of us don’t realize it or appreciate it. Good things do happen frequently. Far more good happens than otherwise, but most of us never hear about it.  We only hear from an industry designed to bring us bad news.

Here is the good news. I thought I’d share this since we have been discussing the manifestation challenge.

A woman, a friend, I have been working with for a while, but have not seen in a couple months, had coffee with me today. (Note: now actually two days ago. I wrote this down the day she told me). She wanted to recount what has been happening and what she has manifested since we last saw each other.

We have been talking and exploring creating good things. Since I last saw her she had some health issues. She was working on healing. She did get better. At that time the family van was stolen and their other car falling apart. The van while ‘junky’ was at least reliable. She thought, ‘something good must be coming’.

At the same time the family desperately needed a new computer. I learned about the computer. I got an email through the university I teach at that computers were available to have. I thought cool, I can get one and give it to her. No such luck. They need to remain on campus.

So she put her needs silently out to the universe. Computer and car. She works for some different people. These different people knew about the hardships. Some graced her with enough money graced to buy a new computer. Even though she refused the money they insisted.

OUT of the blue another person gifted her with 10,000 dollars. She, of course, refused. He said, ‘go buy a car or I will and you’ll be stuck with what I get you.’ She had always dreamed of getting a camper trailer. One had sat roadside for many years.

On a particular day while driving by, in the falling apart car, the owner was hammering in a for sale sign. She stopped and asked how much. 800 dollars or best offer. She asked the woman, would you take 500. The woman said, ‘yes’. She said, ‘great’, and was elated.

While negotiating the deal she noticed a range rover with a four sale sign in the side yard. She asked how much. They said 4000 dollars. The car and camper were both well cared for. She walked away with a new car and camper for 4100.00 They discounted the each.

She told me when she saw the rover she had the deepest gut feeling that something great was about to happen. So she went with her feeling and asked about it. She was driving the rover today and it looked sweet. We had cause to celebrate!

From the 10,000 she replaced the ‘falling apart car’ for 2000 dollars. Both cars replaced, nothing out of her pocket. After, licensing, taxes etc. she still had 2000 dollars left over. She manifested very well. It was exciting to see her so thrilled. This is what you can do too!

The police found the van, stripped, but they got back personal items they thought were gone forever. I think this is a wonderful tale of manifesting what you want and need. Even though it started off with what appeared to be misfortune it was all good fortune in the end.

She kept the faith. She believed it would all work out. It did. What began as a stolen van story became, in a short time, the story of  a proud owner of a good computer, a good car, a range rover, and a good camper with money left over.

Not only that but she exhibited a change of attitude and energy. She had placed a guard before her tongue. She made it a point to discuss only what she wanted to create instead of problems that might exist. Her new mindset was refreshing and in many ways she a transformed person. It was wonderful and is!

What she did you can do the same. Never let doubt stop you from being, doing or having what you want in life. This is why positive thinking is so important. Expect the best. Look for the best. You will find what you are looking for.

It’s fair to say, if you want to doubt this is possible then you may never know the joy of deliberate creation. That is okay with me if it is okay with you. You decide what you want. If you are negative and look for the worst you will find what you are looking for.

I am so happy for her. I am happy I can write about it too and share her accomplishment. Whatever she or anyone else has done you and I can do too. Have faith in yourself. Be positive.

It isn’t just about the things. It is about the attitude and the feelings. It is about transformation and creation. It is about focus and energy. Develop the right attitude and feelings and anything you desire can be yours. Keep the faith! Celebrate and live with gratitude!” Rex Sikes

Have a delightful day!

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Horizons photo used with permission of Phil Koch.

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How To Manifest What You Want With Ease

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“How do you manifest? How do you make it work? Are questions I am asked often.  It really is simple. The first and most important part to becoming someone who deliberately manifests is to realize you already are manifesting everything in your life. You are complicit.

Many people don’t know this and others refuse to take responsibility. They have been brought up believing that others and circumstances dictate their experience. They put the power outside them instead of within them. The fact is everything originates within.

Once you realize everything you have and don’t have is completely up to you, once you take responsibility for creating EVERYTHING in your life you can turn your attention toward creating only what you want. After all, this is what you want: to get what you want, right?

That realization is freeing! It is critical. Nothing exists without you being party to it. Without you creating it, bringing it about or allowing it to happen. EVEN if it were not true, operating as if it were, brings you freedom and gives you tremendous latitude and power as a deliberate creator.

The first steps are: Determine what you want to manifest. See my last posts. Put it out there. I want this to appear within (state time frame) hours from now. Then expect it. You want to even see yourself getting it. Imagine it coming to you. Act as if you already have it.

Stay positive. Don’t doubt or lose faith. If you catch yourself doubting switch back to believing. You want to stay positive and you want to be a good receiver You want to accept and allow it. Feelings are important. Feel good about it. If you don’t stop and pick something you do feel good about.

Don’t try to dictate the terms of its arrival. Be willing to be open and surprised. Then stay open, wait expectantly, like waiting for holiday goodies. Watch or look for it.  Open your mind don’t close it. Remain open and available.

Feel the enthusiasm, the eagerness, the anticipation. Remember, what it was like as child when a holiday was coming and you new you were getting something special. Live the feelings of having it already! Wrap yourself in wonderful feelings.

You are building a muscle, a skill and a mind set. You are building a new habit for winning. The more you do this the easier it gets. Here is the point and the great news: IF you were never, to ever manifest anything at all, EVER, AND that is truly, unlikely, but if you never did, you still will benefit by this practice. AND that is the down side!

YOU benefit by determining what you want. You benefit by practicing clarifying your desires. You benefit by developing faith and staying expectant and positive. You benefit by learning to concentrate your attention and focus your energies and your mind.

You get great benefit in learning these things. You benefit by learning to be a good receiver. You benefit from learning to steer out of negativity back to the positive. You benefit from allowing and celebrating all of these are incredible skills to develop for yourself.

So even the down side has an upside. Start small and build you way up. It is difficult for some people to succeed if they cannot believe they will make it happen.

If you choose something too big at first and think it unlikely, or it doesn’t feel like you can make it happen then pick something as small and common as necessary to feel like it is possible. Get it?

Remember, feelings always run the show. The better you feel the better life gets. You vibrate higher positive energy and radiate it everywhere when you feel your best. Finally, you celebrate and are delighted. Another great benefit.

So to start off learning to deliberately manifest. Take the X hour challenge. Determine, specifically, something easy enough to manifest but worthwhile enough to enjoy and be passionate about.

Give yourself a time frame within which to operate. I mentioned this before. Then claim it. I want X by X. Then believe it and expect it and watch for it. Don’t force it or go out of your way to make it happen just do what you do while expecting it. Allow for it. Be open for it.

Receive it and celebrate when it appears. It seems like magic but it isn’t. This is rooted in science. Your brain is working on it, finding it or helping you create it. So allow it and don’t interfere with it. If you don’t get it, keep the faith and try again. Make whatever adjustments necessary. You will, if not the first time, you will.

As you do this enough and you manifest larger things you won’t be surprised about getting them because you will have learned to accept and respect your abilities.  You know and expect it to occur anyway. You will still be delighted and celebrate.

It’s like your birthday. You know it is coming. You aren’t surprised that it arrived. Still you can be delighted and celebrate it when it does. Knowing it is going to happen doesn’t lessen the celebration.

Have fun. Delight and enjoy! Learn to make your dreams come true. I’m going to share some fun, cool, news tomorrow. Be sure to read all about it. Meanwhile, peace and blessings. And YES, make all your dreams come true because you can!” Rex Sikes

Have a beautiful day!

*If you like this blog please share it with others who can use some inspiration too!

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Horizons photo used with permission of Phil Koch.

GETTING CLOSER TO THE NEW SITE LAUNCH  – Inching our way up on getting it up and running. The site will have a new look and feel. If you get this blog emailed to you,  You will be able to subscribe to the blog and my new newsletter.

Stick with me. I’d hate for you to miss anything when it switches. Subscribe and Follow Daily Inspiration and Gratitude! Leave comments. I love your comments and feedback. Thanks so much!

Today’s Mandate!

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“Make today about you and loved ones. Make it a special day. Do something wonderful for you and family or a friend. Live a little. laugh a little, love a lot. Have fun, let go. Just because you can.

Let today be a day of rest and enjoyment. Allow delight and celebration to fill your moments for no reason. Simply relax and do nothing but special things for yourself. Make it a treat day.

Gift yourself. Gift your loved one. Accept from others too. Expect good things. Look for good things. Let them happen. Smile more. Turn of f the TV, let go of media, connect in person face to face.

Talk, share, read a book. Take a bath. Get a massage. Have a special get together or a meal. Go for a walk or a ride. See some thing new. Go somewhere you have wanted to go Be with another or be alone.

Live. Laugh. Love. Let Go and enjoy today for no reason but that you can. Be kind to yourself and to others.” Rex Sikes

Keep spreading the joy around!

*If you like this blog please share it with others who can use some inspiration too!

NEWS    GETTING CLOSER   NEWS    GETTING CLOSER   NEWS   

Horizons photo used with permission of Phil Koch.

GETTING CLOSER TO THE NEW SITE LAUNCH  – Inching our way up on getting it up and running. The site will have a new look and feel. If you get this blog emailed to you,  You will be able to subscribe to the blog and my new newsletter.

Stick with me. I’d hate for you to miss anything when it switches. Subscribe and Follow Daily Inspiration and Gratitude! Leave comments. I love your comments and feedback. Thanks so much!