Category Archives: Blessings

What To Do About Unexpected Difficulty?

horizons harbor-light-phil-koch

“28 hours without sleep. I just got home. Beautiful day, fantastic evening with talented actors and casting directors. How does a day like this conclude?

As I mentioned I just got home. It is 5am. I should have been back by 1 at the latest. So I will tell you about it, since this is a blog and it was magical and mysterious. Cool and a bit weird.

I had just given an actress and a casting director rides home in Chicago. Got on the freeway, gone about 20 miles when the driver’s rear tire blew. It disintegrated, I fishtailed a few times.

I managed to navigate to the shoulder where I left a trail of tire dust, rubber on the road. This was around 11:30 pm. I had been looking forward to getting home by 1 because I had been up since 2am.

I usually write my blog between 3 and 5 and then do business stuff, eat and go about my day. Last night I began at 2. The evening with actors was fun and exhausting. Now, I sit on roadside calling AAA.

You may recall, New Year’s Eve on the way to a party I blew the right front passenger tire and had to cancel my plans. 2 new tires and a new wheel were the result that time. The universe is silly sometimes.

Coming up at 9 am I was to take my car in have the oil changed and rotate the tires. I left a message there stating perhaps Friday would be a better day. AAA said 45 minutes the tow would arrive.

45 minutes later I sat there still no tow truck. So I called AAA when a truck pulled up behind me. I informed dispatch the tow had arrived but it hadn’t. It was the DOT. He put down some flares and left.

Not before we had a pleasant chat though. I knew that AAA would arrive and tow me 90 miles home. So I relaxed and enjoyed sitting peacefully. A fellow driver stopped and asked if I needed help.

He said he had a blow out 2 weeks before, someone had helped him, so he wanted to be sure to stop for others. I said ‘nope, thanks, that is so cool and I am waiting for a tow’. Well, eventually it came.

At about 3:50 am a tow arrived. During this time I had wonderful conversation with a woman dispatcher from Tennessee. She liked my attitude while getting updates. I liked hers too.

Heck, what to do, right? This is what happened. It could have been a whole lot worse. I was safe, settled and waiting. Gave me time to relax and think and count my blessings.

The driver of the tow was an incredible guy. Dante. We had a great conversation, stopped at the Skyway, I bought coffee and tipped him 5 bucks. He was incredibly grateful.

We resumed until he got me outside my house, at which time he put on the spare, the donut tire, so I can drive to the tire store at 7am. I gave him my last remaining cash, another 5 and off he went.

I came in, fed the cat, sat down at the computer and decided to share this. I love it when I delight and surprise myself. I am learning more and more that whatever happens you can enjoy it. It is a choice.

The evening, the universe, god or random happenstance, found me on the side of road with a nasty flat. What to do about it? Complaining wouldn’t have solved it. It is what is it. I have learned.

I have learned if you can’t do anything about it expect the best. Unexpected good always comes to me, to us, often disguised as difficulty. I don’t know why the tire blew and I don’t care.

Things always work out for the best. I know tomorrow, I mean in less than 75 minutes I will purchase 2 new tires. One to replace the flat and one to replace the other one just in case. Then I’ll have 4 new.

I bought two back in January. So now every wheel will have a new tire. I think the funny thing is as I drove my casting director friend home, I mentioned to her an earlier time 2 years ago in Chicago.

I drove down to go to an acting class. A Sunday afternoon. I turned a corner at about 5 miles an hour, hit a speed bump which tore apart the bottom of my car. I was bleeding transmission fluid everywhere.

Found a gas station a few blocks away. Called AAA, pulled a each chair out of the back and sat and waited for the truck. About as many hours later it arrived. I sat and read a book in the parking lot.

What to do? Absolutely nothing. Had a fabulous conversation with that tow driver too. Things happen. It is much easier in the long run to let it go and stay calm and expect the best. It could have been worse. It wasn’t.

So tonight I spent some time doing something unexpected. I got towed home shortly after recounting my towed home story. How cool or odd is that? Okay, in 70 minutes  the tire store opens and I gotta buy some tires. I’m going to close this now and nap.

The bottom line is life is for living not complaining. Celebrate everything!” Rex Sikes

You Got Another Day! How Do You Want To Spend It?

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Stop Waiting! Create Your Own Luck!

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“Do you believe in luck? Some do. Some wait for luck to reach them. I am afraid you could wait a very long time that way. There is a saying, ‘he who waits, waits.’ Waiting on ‘whatever’ to come along and bless you, while it may occur, isn’t a very good use of one’s time

There is another saying.’Luck is the crossroad where preparation and opportunity meet’. Preparation and opportunity! I am a firm believer in creating one’s own luck. You maintain the mindset, take the appropriate actions and look for opportunity to apply.

The easiest way I know to create your own luck is to do something extra special for those in need or those you work for. Going that extra mile, providing value first, helps you stand out in the world of those in it only for themselves.

Live Love Laugh Celebrate

Others will recognize your efforts and sincerity. If you are truly sincere and helpful your positive reputation will precede you.  You get known by your actions. Maintain a positive attitude, help and inspire others and good will come your way.

By positive attitude I don’t mean a greeting card, syrup-dripping cheeriness, but a ‘can do’ positive mindset. No one wants ill-timed overly cheery remarks when they are down. Those in need usually want understanding and a little space to resolve things.

They don’t want you to tell them ‘cheer up’. They want you to understand them. Most of us do want to be understood and appreciated for who we are. So be sure to create rapport first before you lavish any advice. If you cannot advise even better.

The More We Do The More We Can Do

Be optimistic, yes, but with confident restraint. People will want to be around you, and help you, because you radiate solutions. You help without always telling others what to do. Without having to speak your mind. You assist by helping them find their own way.

People want someone who can laugh and enjoy! Someone, fun to be around who is not a downer. Someone secure and confident. They want to be uplifted but not dragged or pushed up. Imagine walking down a path together. Walk at their rate don’t expect them to walk at yours. Travel together.

You can make a real difference for yourself and for others. You can find more opportunity because you prepared and you look for it. Your Reticular Activating System will seek good things because that  is what you are focused on. Look for opportunities to go the extra mile. You can be, do and have anything when you Celebrate Everything!” Rex Sikes

Magic IS just for you!

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Horizons photo used with permission of Phil Koch.

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Do This And Your World Can Immediately Become Better!

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“It always fascinates me how things work out together. Some call it synchronicity. The topic I chose to write about today came home to me in a delightful way. I had planned to write on kindness and committing those random acts when one happened to me.

Prior to writing this I am at home. I had dozed off. I was awakened gently by my daughter who said, ‘I brought you soup’. Wonderful, I thought. Plus, she brought home something for me to drink. I am delighted. It was welcomed and it was tasty.

I felt well taken care of and loved. As we talked and I ate soup, it comes out that out she has been delivering soup to a friend’s grandmother for a number of weeks. She had visited once and realized the woman’s refrigerator was bare.

If You Want To Lift Yourself Up Lift Up Someone Else

She had a couple eggs, cheese, and nothing in the freezer. My daughter brought some soup over the next evening and the woman enjoyed it. So my daughter made it more of a regular thing. She’d take her a quart or two of soup.

Nightly, after work, she’d tell me she was going to this woman’s house. Even in very bad weather she made the delivery. I had been concerned at times when weather was rough. I wanted her to come home safe,  but she would say she was going to her friend’s grandma’s house first.

I never knew why until tonight.  It simply came up as we chatted and I ate the soup she brought me. After some more conversation she stated she was excited about our plans for the evening tomorrow. Off to her room she went. I am blessed with two wonderful children. I was well taken care of this late night.

You Don’t Need A Reason To Help People

I am very proud. My daughter simply wanted to do something nice for this woman because she cared. She said, though the woman has a job and works hard she has a difficult time making ends meet. She can’t make enough money to buy much food.

My daughter cared! She acted! When people care for other people we lift each other up. We ought to  assist people without criticizing them for their lot in life. We help them because of what is in our heart not because of what they can do in return.

I think this is what life is really all about. Simple kindness. Simple goodness to each other. We are all on this cloud encased globe together. We ought to be able to get along, help and enjoy each other. I will close this out soon, but first a quote I would have used tonight, anyway. Joseph Murphy wrote the following:

My Religion Is Kindness – Dali Lama

‘There is no one to change but yourself. You have to be nice to yourself; the real self of you is God. Exalt, honor, revere and respect this Divine Presence within yourself; then you are loving and honoring your neighbor.Your neighbor is the closest thing to you; God is your neighbor; and if you love God you will have goodwill toward all men.’

Simple acts of kindness can go a long way toward helping us help people feel exalted, honored, revered and respected. We should strive to lift each other up together instead of tearing each other apart or down. More kindness is needed, less greed and intolerance.

Be kind. Do something nice for yourself by doing something nice for someone else. Let your actions be your reward not the praise from others. It feels good to do something nice. It is increase for all! A rising tide floats the boat and everyone in it.

Right Now How You Feel Is Creating The Future

It is good to uplift others. When you put it out there you get it back in countless untold ways. Simply make it a point to be more gentle, accepting, kind, peaceful and loving. The more love and goodness we spread around the more we get back to enjoy and spread again.

Create that ambience around you. And know this: People are mostly good! We hear about the bad ones all the time in media, but mostly, people are wonderful! We all should keep that in mind. What we focus on we get back. Let’s focus on the goodness. Let’s build what we want to have more of. Let’s celebrate everything!” Rex Sikes

Today is another day to be thrilled!

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Horizons photo used with permission of Phil Koch.

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Your Health Is Affected By PMA! What Is It? Why You Need It

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“PMA? What does it mean to have PMA? Some people just do not understand. Do you really know what it is? Do you know how it affects you? You may not. Most people don’t. A lot are unaware. Many are mistaken.

A number of people think it means unrealistic magical, wishful thinking. Someone even wrote a book calling it unrealistic thinking. So why do we need a Positive Mental Attitude? Does it make a difference? Does it  matter?

It isn’t unrealistic at all if you know what it is. If you actually have a PMA and use it you couldn’t and wouldn’t write a book like that. You’d understand the difference between pie in the sky thinking an a PMA based on accurate evidence or fact and good reasoning.

If You Change The Way You Look At Things

That author mistakes PMA with wishful, magical, fanciful thinking. That author’s premise is that if you wish for something and then don’t get it you may feel worse off than had you  not wished at all. Perhaps. That has absolutely nothing to do with positive thinking.

Positive thinking is about action. You don’t sit and wish and hope. You put on your best ‘I can do it’ attitude and you work to make it happen. Yes, you may not succeed but you will have gotten further than if you sat in your room and hoped for it. Yes, it matters!

Positive thinking is about determination and overcoming obstacles. It eliminates negative thinking, downer thinking, depressed thinking, hopeless thinking, problem thinking in favor of positive, powerful, solution focused thought. It is about making things happen!

The Things You Look At Change

I enjoy this definition by Napoleon Hill, ‘It is a confident, constructive, sure, practical and forward moving disposition of the mind over and against any given circumstances. As we use the expression in this study a Positive Mental Attitude is the right mental attitude in any given situation.

It is composed of positive characteristics symbolized by such words as faith, integrity, hope, optimism, courage, initiative, generosity, tolerance, tact, kindness and good common sense.’

He further states,’To understand the importance of a Positive Mental Attitude in your life, consider the fact that it affects the tone of your voice, the expression of your face, the posture of your body, every thought you think, every word you speak.’

You Do Everything Better Thinking Positive Than Negative

‘It determines the nature of every emotion you feel. Everyone and everything that comes within the range of your personality is affected by your mental attitude.’

On top of this he states it is the most important component in developing, having or maintaining a pleasing personality.  From these statements you can begin to understand the importance of maintaining a positive mental attitude.

All of us can tell the difference between an energy vampire, a downer who sucks the life out of a room merely by entering it and one who uplifts and delights and supercharges the atmosphere simply by entering there too. We know the difference.

Every Day May Not Be Good But There Is Good In Every Day

While maintaining a positive mental attitude does not absolutely guarantee success in all circumstances we know a negative one likely insures failure. If you don’t think it will work you aren’t going to bother. If you don’t bother you don’t act, hence nothing changes.

By their fruits they are known. Some people say ‘by their works’. People can tell whether you are a positive, uplifting Paula or a Debbie Downer just by your presence. One type accomplishes things regardless of difficulty the other does not.

Thoughts generate attitude and attitude generates thought. It is a cycle. Negative thoughts generate negative. Positive generate more positive. Thoughts ARE things. Thoughts are powerful. You can’t escape the repercussions of your thoughts.

You Are Pretty Awesome Keep It Up

Thoughts affect every part of your physical being. They cause your body to react chemically from healthy to unhealthy. They can make you feel good and comfortable or anxious and afraid. You can feel like charging up a mountain, like making love, feeling peaceful or like fighting or fleeing. Thoughts affect your mental and physical health.

Angry thoughts can make your nostrils flare,  your face turn red, your teeth to clench, your heart and blood pressure rates to change. Science knows our thoughts affect us. A PMA is healthier than a negative one. Negative thoughts produce negative outcomes.

A PMA thinks, speaks and acts only to bless, heal and prosper oneself and others. A negative attitude whines, blames self, others and the world. The PMA is a healthier choice. It can make the difference in healing. If you don’t have one you can develop one.

Delight yourself and others! It is worth it! Cultivate a Can Do personality. Shine from the inside out. You’ll make more friends, achieve your dreams and have more fun with a pleasing personality and a positive mental attitude! Enjoy!” Rex Sikes

How will you make this day fantastic?

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Horizons photo used with permission of Phil Koch.

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You Want To Be Wealthy But Are You Thinking Wealthy?

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“Are you aware the effects of your thinking is cumulative? What you get in life is determined by the critical mass of your thoughts? Most people believe they are positive most of the time. They aren’t. What would you say you are if asked? Are you mostly positive or mostly negative? It matters greatly. It determines your results.

Most people most of the time aren’t actually thinking positive much of the time. If they were our world would be a much different place. They spend some time thinking positive but then are distracted with other thoughts. Some are negative. For others it isn’t negativity occupying their mind but thoughts that don’t add up to positive.

What Do You Spend Most Of Your Time Thinking And Feeling?

Their cumulative effect is nil. Zero. This matters a great deal with how quickly you are able to manifest your dreams and goals. It is the preponderance of your thoughts that makes the difference. The scales must tip in the direction of positive thoughts and feeling most of the time, each day of the week.

You want to think and feel good more than you do anything else. If you had two piles of laundry one to be washed and one clean which is the larger?  Which is larger if you have three piles of thoughts? Is it the negative pile, the useless pile or the positive and directed thoughts?

You are either in a resort in the south of France or you are not. You can’t be there and back home at the same time in physical reality. Of course, you could be in your mind. You could be on the most marvelous beach in the world and miss it because you brought your office or family problems with you. That sucks, doesn’t it?

You Are Always On One Side Of The Fence Or The Other

Those of you working on being wealthier and living abundantly consider this:  You imagine, ‘I am abundant, I am rich. I have more than enough money to pay my bills’. Then you go into a store and look at items you want. If you’re like most people the first thing you check is the price tag. You look to see if you can afford it.

That is not abundant thinking! If you were wealthy, of course, you could afford it. The question is do you want it? Do you purchase what you want or only what you can afford? I am not suggesting you purchase anything because even the fabulously wealthy can be thrifty. Still, your thinking and actions, should support each other.

Positivity Is An Attitude To Permeate Each Of Your Moments

Most people purchase what they can afford. They aren’t purchasing what they want. Think about that. If the first thoughts are ‘wow, that is too much’ or ‘is there a cheaper one’ you aren’t thinking rich. If you want abundance you must practice abundance. You must think and act from having more than enough and not from lack.

Your behaviors should be congruent with your thoughts. You could look at it and think, ‘Good thing I am rich’. Or, ‘I can easily afford this’. Or ‘WOW that is inexpensive’. You could think, ‘I’ll take 6’, or ‘Maybe, I’ll just buy the entire store’. Someone owns the place, why not you? Your attitude should be one of plenty.

What You Say Is What You Get

Align your thoughts and feelings and behaviors. If you want to get out of debt and lack then think abundance and behave abundantly. Again, I am not suggesting spending a dime I am addressing the  thinking process. What are you focused on most of the time? Do you spend your days predominantly thinking about what you want?

Do you predominantly think about what you don’t want? Do you sometimes think positive and then most of your thoughts drift and are useless? They are on the news; Facebook items; gossip; distractions; the traffic; how slow the elevator is; the long line at the coffee shop;  etc. They’re useless thoughts that add up to nothing!

Feel The Best You Can Most Of The Time – Feel Wonderful

Those thoughts aren’t focused or directed. Develop your thought habits so that most of what you think each day is positive, optimistic and of well being. Think about what you want and are grateful for. You want your chronic thinking to be productive wonderful thinking not the thinking types you did in the past.

Monitor your feelings to determine what you are thinking most of the time. Are you feeling wonderful and energetic? Do you feel so so, okay or ho-hum.  Do you feel not good but not bad most of the time? Are you bored, angry, worried or miserable much of the time? To get what you want you must feel your best.

You Are Where Your Thoughts Take You

We become what we think about. What we focus on expands. To live in a particular reality we must first conceive of that reality. The easiest way to feel good, apart from the numerous methods I have shared in these blog pages, is to feel grateful right now for what you already do have. Celebrate whatever you have fully! Delight in it!

Be thankful! Celebrate! Feel grateful right now for what you want in the future, too. Be as grateful as you will be when it arrives. Be grateful now as if you already have it. Be thankful for that which hasn’t appeared yet. Celebrate everything! Enjoy and delight and live in appreciation. This will help you always feel your best!” Rex Sikes

Celebrate the day!

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Horizons photo used with permission of Phil Koch.

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What To Do When Things Turn Rotten

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“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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Horizons photo used with permission of Phil Koch.

NEW BLOG SITE LAUNCHES SOON – Do you get this blog emailed to you? You will have  to again subscribe to this blog, newsletter. I’d hate for you to miss anything when it switches. Subscribe and Follow Daily Inspiration and Gratitude!

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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Horizons photo used with permission of Phil Koch.

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Sometimes It Is Better To Inch Your Way Along

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“Everyone needs to rest. It can’t be all work and no play. You want to make sure you have fun too while you pursue your goals. You want to enjoy what you are doing or you won’t do it for very long. You need rest too. You need to replenish. Chill and relax. Nurture yourself! Take good care of yourself.

Sometime, people effort too much. You see it every new year. People make all sorts of resolutions. They rush to the gyms. They buy equipment. Then they over do until they eventually quit. Better to do less and continue than try to do too much and quit early.

Have Fun – Get Rest- Nourish Yourself – Enjoy Everything

Still, every year lots of people will abandon their goals because making changes takes too much time or effort. These people often don’t figure out the easy way to make new changes fit into their already busy lives. Don’t fall into this trap.

Ease your way along. Instead of going for the overhaul go for the upgrade. To inch your way to you destination is better than to go fast right away and run out of gas. You eat an elephant bite by bite. Drop by drop fills the tub. Be consistent and persistent and you will get there. Allow yourself to enjoy it all as you journey along.

Small Steps Consistently Taken Will Get You There

The same principle applies whenever you discover yourself feeling down and out or thinking less than glorious thoughts. Learn to switch from the less than glorious to the glorious whenever you notice you aren’t feeling so good. This is when you become aware that something is off.

Realize and remember the less than glorious feelings ARE the signal that something is off. The way you correct it IS to switch from thinking negative to thinking more positive thoughts. The less than glorious feelings are the alert signal to get YOUR OWN attention.

Use Your Body’s Alert Signal System To Make Positive Changes

When your thinking isn’t productive your body responds with less than good feelings. Once you notice this  it is THE time to begin the change. It is up to you to do whatever positive things you need to to feel better.

Work your way up the ladder of good feelings and thinking. Inch yourself into feeling better bit by bit. You may not be able to leap from feeling down to feeling bliss. So do little things that make you feel better bit by bit. Walk, read, rest, get a massage, talk with a friend. These will help you change your thoughts and feelings!

Better To Do A Little Something Than A Lot Of Nothing

Spend time with family, kids, help someone else, enjoy a pet. Smile more. Affirm. Ask yourself positive questions. Pay attention to what is good, what feels good, what is new that you haven’t noticed before. Look for things to be grateful about. Meditate and let go.

Eventually, you will begin feel better. Steer your thinking to more positive thoughts and you will feel more positive. Continue these practices until you are once again able to hold your positive dreams in your mind and  feel wonderful.

Take Control – Captain Your Ship – Steer Yourself There

Inch your way up. Step by step until you feel wonderful. If you do this every time you feel down or negative you will create a new habit for feeling better. You will be create new neural pathways or mental routes. It is incredibly valuable for you you take charge and initiate the change when you notice something is off!

Ultimately, you learn that you are able to direct your thoughts and feelings productively. You discover that you are in charge more of the time. As you become aware of this, more and more life improves all along the way. You will have created some really useful positive habits and changes. So celebrate everything!” Rex Sikes

There is plenty to enjoy today! Can you find it?

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Horizons photo used with permission of Phil Koch.

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There Is A Magic Ingredient That Makes All Of Life Better

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“Did you know there is something that determines your happiness, your success, your victories more than anything else. It is the ‘magic’ ingredient! I bet you already know what it is.

It is your attitude! You say, ‘Really, attitude? Well, of course, I already knew this.’  See, I knew you’d think something like that.

Your attitude is comprised of your beliefs and what you think is important, your values. It is your mindset. You (and I) aren’t born with attitude. You develop it. You can change it. You can make it serve you OR you can serve it.

Whether IT serves you or YOU serve it is critical. If you have a poor attitude you are the servant. If your attitude is right, IT serves you. You have heard of a ‘winning’ or ‘winner’s attitude’.

Your Attitude Determines Your Circumstances

If you have a poor attitude know this: YOU are not stuck with THAT attitude. You can change it to better serve you. Your attitude is your chronic, habitual thinking patterns. It is your OLD reliable thoughts.

If these suck, you need to replace this old habit with a new and better, more productive, thinking habit. It takes a little time and effort true, but it is far simpler than you might believe. AND what you believe is JUST THAT. It is what YOU believe.

‘A happy person is not a person with a certain set of circumstances but rather a person with a certain set of attitudes.’ Hugh Downs. We tend to think happiness comes by having the right people, things or circumstances in our lives. It doesn’t. It IS the other way around.

Your attitude determines whether you find the world a friendly and inviting place or not. Your attitude determines your circumstances and how you navigate them more than anything else. Your thoughts create your reality. YOUR THOUGHTS create YOUR REALITY!

Your Attitude Determines Your Altitude

‘Your attitude determines your altitude.’ This last statement is a quote sometimes attributed to Zig Ziglar. There is a slightly longer version.

‘Your attitude, not your aptitude, determines your altitude.’ Said another way, ‘Your success is determined by how much you desire it and not by your talents.’ This is very close to what I think Napoleon Hill says. I paraphrase below:

You must have a Definite Chief Purpose. You must know what you want. You must want to achieve it with all your heart. You must be passionate about it. You must want it with a white hot burning desire.

You must have complete faith in yourself. You must believe you will achieve it in spite of any obstacle or negative circumstances. You must keep going and persist, until you do. Stick with it! Make it happen!

Your Attitude Determines Your Experience Of The World

‘Whatever the mind of man can conceive, and come to believe, it can achieve.’ Napoleon Hill. Everything first originates as a thought or an idea. That is why he said you can THINK and grow rich. Riches originate within. Riches, happiness, success, health begin in the mind.

Your thought, your mindset or attitude, is critical to your success and happiness. What you think determines how far you will go. Henry Ford said, ‘whether you think you can or you think you can’t you are right!’ I say, never let a thought stop you from a positive good!

Thoughts are powerful. Thoughts become things. Still, when all is said and done, it is, after all, just a thought. A mental packet of energy. YOU chose what YOUR thoughts WILL BE! Make ALL your thoughts SERVE YOU instead of you serving them!

‘He rarely hits the mark or wins the game, who says, I know I’ll miss while taking aim.’ Allan Guiterman. You must already know this. If you don’t think you will you RARELY will. You are less apt to succeed if you think you are going to fail. Think YOU will WIN!

Your Attitude Determines What You Make Happen

Another Guiterman quote. ‘What one approves, another scorns, And thus his nature each discloses. You find the rosebush full of thorns, I find the thornbush full of roses.’ I’ve discussed it in these blog pages many times. Your mindset or attitude determines what you find.

Out brain’s Reticular Activating System (RAS) looks for proof in the world for what we already believd. It looks for a match. It has no vested interest in what that is. If you think negatively it will find that as much as if you think positively. It doesn’t care BUT you should.

You are so much more likely to succeed and have what you want when you take charge of your attitude. When you take control of your thoughts and feelings. When you decide you are going to make things happen you will.

If you decide the world is friendly and you can be, do and have anything you want your RAS will look and find that evidence for you. That is what it is designed to do.

Your Attitude Determines Whether You Win Or Lose

Hill stated, anything you turn over to your subconscious mind by emotionally charge repetition, you subconscious will work to make reality. This is already working for you and I.

We can’t escape it. We can only aim it. We are either predominantly positive or predominantly negative in our thinking. What we think most and how we think most of the time, determines the kind results we get back. We get either positive or negative results.

If you wait for ‘magic’ to happen or for things to come to you on their own, you might just wait all your life. The time is NOW to fashion and craft the winning attitude that carries you across the finish line. ‘If IT is to BE IT is up to ME!’ William Johnsen. You decide!

Your Positive Attitude Can Make Everything Much Better

Everything changes for the better when you change your attitude for the better. All of your life will transform. If you begin to believe this is possible THEN it IS possible. Make it happen!

If you don’t believe it, for you, it won’t be possible. You determine the outcome by what you choose to believe. That is how it works. It is always a choice whether you recognize it as one or not. Choose!Take responsibility, take charge.

Put yourself in the driver’s seat. Take control. Don’t wait for others or circumstances to be right, create the circumstances. It is time to be the master of your fate and the captain of your soul. It begins with your thoughts! It ALL begins with your attitude! Remember, ‘Your attitude determines you altitude!” Rex Sikes

Make the most of your day!

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Horizons photo used with permission of Phil Koch.

NEW BLOG SITE LAUNCHES SOON – Do you get this blog emailed to you? You will have  to again subscribe to this blog, newsletter. I’d hate for you to miss anything when it switches. Subscribe and Follow Daily Inspiration and Gratitude!

How You Can Take Hold Of Your Destiny

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“How do you remain faithful to your dream when there is absolutely no evidence, yet, you can accomplish it? Not giving up  when nothing appears to be happening is probably the most difficult concept for people to embrace. Most people want immediate results, they feel they need to know what they are doing is working. If it isn’t they want to change direction and quickly.

Edwin C. Barnes, according to Napoleon Hill, in Think And Grow Rich, waited patiently for FIVE years. He never gave up or doubted. He worked a menial job with no outer evidence he would ever get what he wanted. During those five years Barnes remained true to his dream. He steadfastly focused on his goal.

Instead of seeking something else to do, instead of quitting, he intensified his desire! I repeat, he intensified his desire to have what he came for. He kept his dream alive within and felt it even more strongly. How do you remain faithful to your dream when there is no evidence you can accomplish it?

Perception Is Everything

You do what Barnes did. You intensify the desire. You keep the faith, keep doing and wait patiently. Patience is considered a virtue? How we wait determines our entire experience. How we wait truly matters! We can complain the entire time, blame, whine, weep, be fearful, angry and stressed out. This is often the experience of people stuck in traffic. Consider the following.

Traffic is stopped. You cannot get to your destination as you thought you would. What is there to do? Surrounded by stopped vehicles there is nothing you can do to move your vehicle. You are stuck. You just have to wait it out. How you wait is critical. It is critical to your mental, physical, emotional and spiritual health and well being. Many freak out.

Faith is the belief in things not seen. Some call that crazy. Atheists, and skeptics say it is not rational. You are wasting your time. The same kind of  thinkers said, ‘we don’t need a horseless carriage my horse is good enough’. ‘We don’t need an electric light bulb we’ve oil lamps’, and ‘We will never fly that is only for birds’.

All Things Work Together For Good

I am not talking about faith in an unseen god but about belief in yourself. Belief in your ability to make your future how you want it to be when nothing appears likely. I am talking about being true to your dreams when all physical reality runs counter. You have mountains of bills and debt but your dominant dream is wealth and financial freedom.

There are countless stories of people broke and down and out, who don’t have two nickels to rub together. They failed multiple times, again and again, but still climbed out of the cesspool of troubles into freedom and a life they now enjoy. There are more of these examples than you or I can ever imagine.

There are billions of dollars in flow, circulating the globe every second, if you don’t have a share it is only because you chose not to. There are 7 billion people on the planet. If you are lonely, it is only because, somehow, you chose to be alone. How can it be otherwise? With all that is possibly available if you don’t have, why not? The answer has to be YOU. That is okay, don’t fret.

If It Is To Be It Is Up To Me And No One Else

Determine what you want. Then claim what you want. Imagine yourself, already in possession of all the good you want for yourself. See yourself financially free with enough money to do the things you want to do. Imagine it happening right now not in the future some time. See yourself already in the perfect relationship, loving the partner right for you. Feel all the wonderful feelings.

Stay fast and true.  Remain fast and true even while times run counter to what you want. Remain convinced, keep you eye on the prize. Keep the faith.  Take even baby steps to make daily progress toward your dreams. When you do this eventually get them. SO HOW you wait is critical. What you do when nothing appears to be happening is extremely important!

Do you believe or doubt? Whichever it is you will get more the same. You get back whatever you put out there. YOU create more of the same! Either you will become more convinced or more doubtful. Which do you think works better for getting what you want in life? Some will say, ‘but… but… but’ because there is always some who will.

You Are Where Your Thoughts Take You

Some will say ‘but you have to be realistic’. Who says so? What does being realistic actually mean? Doe being realistic mean caving and giving up because it doesn’t yet look like you might be successful? Is that what you think realistic is? Do you think it is realistic to doubt yourself and your abilities more than believing in yourself?

Are there other ways to be realistic besides the way you think there are? Maybe you are only thinking along old chronic, habitual lines of thought that never served you very well. Perhaps, the reason you feel this is because you never thought differently or challenged yourself to go beyond these worn out thoughts.

Does realistic really mean doubting yourself is better than believing in yourself? Well, does it? Some will say, ‘but you might create false hope’. THAT is a stupid, silly notion. There is only hope or no hope. False hope means hoping against hope. That you may be disappointed by hoping. Disappointment is always a possibility.

Skill Comes From Doing

Would you rather try for something and get a little better and be disappointed or do nothing, remain the same and be disappointed? Which works better for your lifelong enjoyment?  Disappointment could be the very catalyst you need to catapult yourself into success and happiness.

Disappointment could be the ‘hitting rock bottom’ when you finally say, ‘never again’ or ‘I refuse to live like this’. Disappointment is when you ultimately clarify what you want and decide to never settle for what you do not want. Perhaps, it is far better to get disappointed than to be comfortable in laziness and to do nothing.

How you wait in the face of trying circumstances or when nothing seems to happen IS the measure of your character. How you wait defines you. How you waits tells others precisely who you are. How you wait reveals your true self to you, as well as, others. Everyone can see, although you may still be blinded by your own thoughts.

Habits Are Built By Repetition

Seeds germinate and the plants grow underground, in darkness, for a significant amount of time. There is lots going on but it is invisible to us. We can’t see it.  We wait for the plant to appear.. When you believe in yourself, when you live with the conviction that you will succeed, much is happening, inside that cannot be seen right now.

You just have to wait for it. So what do you do in the meantime? How do you spend your time. What if you knew that in five or ten years you would have everything you want what you would do in the meantime? How would you wait it out?

How would you live? What would you think? What would you do in the meantime. Would you bemoan the fact it hadn’t happened yet? Some would.   Would you be excited and eager for that coming day? Would you do anything different? Would you live every day fully during the troubled times or would you put off today for what tomorrow would bring?

The More We Do The More We Are Able To Do

Patience is a virtue for many reasons. Be patient and be persistent. Do what you can do to move forward. Continue to trust that you will succeed no matter what life seems to offer right now. Enjoy now, no matter how hard it is. This positive mindset, this  deliberate act of intentional thinking, will pay off for you big time. Enjoy now even when circumstances are tough. Have faith in better days.

When you can look at everything as a blessing, no matter what, you are free! You are powerful. You are capable of fulfilling your destiny. If you can find the seed of opportunity in adversity, if you can uncover the learning and keep going, then you are truly already blessed. You are blessed because you are one who can achieve anything.

Celebration, positive thoughts and feelings open the floodgates for more! What you put out you get back. What you sow you will reap. From one seed countless thousands of plants are possible. From your deliberate faith in the invisible, behind the scenes, positive action, great things can arise.

SO have faith! Be patient! Trust in yourself! There is more potential in having faith than not having faith.  When you stay true, and stay convinced in your abilities, though times seem to run counter, you will make you dreams come true.  Life is whatever you make it. How you make it what you want it to be starts within you. It begins with your thoughts. Control your thoughts and you will control your destiny.” Rex Sikes

Make today your day!

If you like these posts please subscribe. If you think these posts would help others please share them. Help Spread the word. 

Horizons photo used with permission of Phil Koch.

NEW BLOG SITE LAUNCHES SOON – Do you get this blog emailed to you? You will have  to again subscribe to this blog, newsletter. I’d hate for you to miss anything when it switches. Subscribe and Follow Daily Inspiration and Gratitude!