Category Archives: Faith

How To Take Advantage Of Opportunity And Succeed

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“What mindset makes a winner? How does your self talk influence you? Do you monitor and make certain it is positive? Is it helpful 80% of the time or is it 80% less than glorious or unhelpful? These are important, critical, considerations.

We have been discussing Edwin C. Barnes, in previous posts, and what was his mindset and self-talk were like? Napoleon Hill uses Barnes’ story as an example, in chapters 1 and 2, of Think and Grow Rich. He states Barnes traveled to New Jersey confident and positive; he knew inside he would eventually partner with Edison.

‘When he went to Orange, he did not say to himself, ‘I will try to induce Edison to give me a job of some sort.’ He said,  ‘I will see Edison and put him on notice that I have come to go into business with him.’ He did not say, ‘I will work there for a few months and if I get no encouragement, I will quit and get a job somewhere else.’

He Knew Inside

Remember, Hill said he may have looked like a tramp but his thoughts we those of a king. Further, he said, that while Barnes aim may have begun as a wish he turned it into his dominant chief aim. He made it a burning desire and had complete faith himself to accomplish the outcome he sought. Barnes left himself no other options.

Hill continued, ‘He did say, ‘I will start anywhere. I will do anything Edison tells me to do, but before I am through, I will be his associate.’ He did not say, ‘I will keep my eyes open for another opportunity in case I fail to get what I want in the Edison organization.’ (He wasn’t trying it out to see ‘if it might work,’ Barnes would make it work!)

‘He said, ‘There is but ONE thing in this world that I am determined to have, and that is a business association with Thomas A. Edison. I will burn all bridges behind me and stake my ENTIRE FUTURE on my ability to get what I want.’ (There was only one thing he wanted!! He burned all his bridges. There was no escape route; no plan B.)

I Will Start Anywhere I Will Do Anything

‘He left himself no possible way of retreat. He had to win or perish! That is all there is to the Barnes story of success.’ I love this, he had to win or perish! Hill closes the discussion with, ‘that is all there is to Barnes story  of success.’ It is that simple and that extraordinary!

Napoleon Hill points it all out for us in the very beginnings of his book. He says he was commissioned by Andrew Carnegie to study and model 500 of the most successful business men of the day, He was to release his findings as a practical, teachable, formula and philosophy anyone else could apply to succeed. He spent 20 years.

His first book ‘Laws Of Success’ was based on the principles he uncovered. Later, he released, ‘Think and Grow Rich’. In both, he succinctly present the information and says, make a study of this and do these things. ACTUALLY do them, practice them, day and night, don’t just read about them, and you will be successful.

His Thoughts Were Those Of A King

You can be, do and have anything you desire when you apply these principles. A strong claim backed up by the fact that more millionaires have been made by reading Think And Grow Rich, and putting his methods to work than apparently in any other ways. HIs methods have stood the test of time. Would you like to be one too?

If you answered yes, then do what he says. Study the works. Make it your ambition. Then do what he outlines. Look at Barnes, do what he did. After all Hill says, ‘…that is all there is to Barnes success.’ You should read and study the rest of the book to learn how Barnes got to that point. BUT you must implement the practice, not just read!

Still, I will simplify much of it right now. You can’t be a wimp you must be deliberate about what you intend to make happen. You can’t be half assed you must be all in. You can’t call the shots you must begin wherever you are and take advantage of any opening opportunity that presents itself. You must know what you want.

You must continue in the absence of evidence to intensify what you want and know that if you stay with it, and not quit but persist, you will make it happen. Hill goes on to add some very important things. You must have a pleasing personality so people want to help you. You must attract others with your mindset and actions.

I Will Stake My Entire Future On My Ability To Get What I Want

You must add value and go the extra mile to those you work for and with. You should be the first in and the last out and demonstrate your worth to all concerned.  You must believe in yourself and make whatever adjustments are necessary all along the way to the win. You must be ultra-confident but humble too.

Always keep your goal in sight. Visualize it, as if you already have it. Affirm it with your speech. Remain positive inside and out. Do these things and you too will succeed. It does require effort. That is why not everyone who begins continues the journey to the end. If you are committed, and are ‘all in’ you will. Journey and complete it!

You will make you dreams reality when you do these things whole-heartedly and fully. When you are completely committed there will be no stopping you. Just make sure you aren’t doing anyone else any harm in pursuing your goals. When everyone wins and benefits you are assured to win and benefit. Commit! Start making your dreams come true today!” Rex Sikes

Today is yours!

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If You Must Have It You Can Make It Happen!

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“How does one create opportunity? How do you advance you career, your dreams, you income? How do you harness your personal power to create what you want? How do you lead a happy, fulfilling life? These are important considerations.

What did Edison see in Barnes that made him give Barnes an opportunity? Edison said it was the look on his face, that let him know Barnes was absolutely committed. Though he dressed like a tramp his thoughts were those of a king.

Those thoughts were his strength, his attitude. Those powerful thoughts were reflected in his countenance and demeanor. He exuded something and Edison could tell. He had a confidence, an air about him, a look that told Edison this man meant business.

Hill states, ‘It is a remarkable illustration of the power of a DEFINITE DESIRE. Barnes won his goal because he wanted to be a business associate of Mr. Edison MORE than he wanted anything else. He created a plan by which to attain that purpose.

You Become What You Think About All Day Long

‘But he BURNED ALL BRIDGES BEHIND HIM. He stood by his DESIRE until it became the dominating obsession of his life— and, finally, a fact.’ Emerson said, ‘we become what we think about all day long’. His desire became the dominating obsession of his life!

Barnes dwelt on his chief aim. He repeatedly saw it in his mind. He felt it. He heard what he said to Edison. He rehearsed his future again and again in his mind. He prepared himself mentally. He knew what he wanted! Day and night he lived his destiny.

As Hill pointed out, and I referred to in previous posts, it wasn’t a far off wish. He didn’t imagine it as ‘some day’ this might happen. Barnes saw himself already as a partner of Edison. His future took place now! In his mind he already WAS a partner.

He was  living the partner life, doing what partners do. He saw it, heard it, felt it! It took place in the present in Barnes mind not someday in the future. Some day never comes. The subconscious mind only knows right now. This is what you and I must do!

Act As If It Is Already Yours And It Is

Live the future in our minds as if it IS the present. Dwell on it. Be passionate! Be enthused! Have faith and know, be convinced of it. Rehearse it over and over. Live it day and night. Keep the white hot fires burning white hot. Passion and faith make it happen.

During the ensuing 5 years, Hill said,  Barnes intensified the desire. He did not let it wane when nothing in his circumstances appeared to change. During that time he intensified his desire and his faith. This is what you must do. Intensity is important!

You must be willing to own it, command it, declare it, and live it night and day inside until you manifest it on the outside. This isn’t magic, though magical, it is intentional deliberate creation. When you get to that place inside yourself you KNOW it IS YOURS. Then, it truly is!

When you know it is yours you are ready to have it. When you are ready IT will happen. You will make it happen. This is HOW you think and grow rich. You create what you want by taking control of your thoughts and feelings and putting them to work for you.

You Find What You Expect To Find

It means you affirm what you want without doubt, fear or fail. You are absolutely committed to getting your goal. You burn the ships so that you have every reason to win. You leave yourself no other option! This is the mind of a champion. This is the mind of a victor!

Stop putting control outside of yourself. Stop blaming and whining about circumstances. Take 100% responsibility for making it happen. YOU determine what will happen not the circumstances.

During tough economic times some people make millions. It isn’t the outer that is most important it is your INNER world that is most important! YOU make your dreams come true. YOU do this be taking charge and never letting anything stop you. YOU are the key!

This is the mindset of a creator. Every thought, every action says, ‘this is mine. This is what I create and make happen.’ Your thoughts and actions align. You move congruently with purpose and total dedication. You become unstoppable! You make it a MUST have! No other option.” Rex Sikes

Have a beautiful day!

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Horizons photo used with permission of Phil Koch.

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Why Some Never Get What They Want While Others Do

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“Who, among my readers, wants a better life? Who hopes for and desires positive change? Do you wish for more money, better health, improved relationships, far away travel, more fun and enjoyment? What is it you dream about?

Do you know what keeps you from having that right now? Wishing and wanting and hoping and dreaming. All nice but all keep it away.Those who wish rarely win. Those who get what they want are CLEAR about what they want. They SEE it as an absolute in their mind.

The difference between one who gets what they want and one who doesn’t is this; the one who gets what they want thinks, says, and declares, ‘I AM going to make this happen’. They speak with authority because they are certain. They command themselves to do it! Everything they think and say to supports their conclusion.

It is never a wish!  It is an accomplishment. It is not something they want and hope will happen, that somehow they will attract it. Nope! They know if they want it they MUST make it happen. They align their inner resources and efforts to bring it into being. They are congruent and completely DEDICATED.

The Best Way To Predict The Future Is To Create It

They may also attract others, events and circumstances but they initiate. They don’t wait, they are PROACTIVE. They may not even know how they will do it yet, they just know that they will make it happen. Hoping won’t do it. They PLAN their success route and take it.

YOU have to DECIDE to do it and let nothing stop you. DECLARE it! COMMAND it! YOU make it happen. YOU marshall all of YOUR resources to bring it into being. That is what any king or emperor does. They say, ‘I want a monument. Put the slaves to work’.

Your slaves are your inner resources, your thoughts, abilities, skills and talents. You MAKE it happen by thoughts, your feelings and your actions. These should work together for you. Mindset, attitude, is the cutting edge that separates those who ultimately have from those who don’t.

Your servants are your BURNING DESIRE. Your passion that you must achieve this. Your FAITH. Your unwavering absolute belief in yourself and your expectation of accomplishment. You KNOW you will make it happen. Your ACTION. You take whatever positive actions you must take to bring about your positive good.

If It Is Important To You –  Find A Way To Make It Happen

PERSISTENCE. You never stop. You keep believing in yourself.  You keep doing until you accomplish. FLEXIBILITY, you are able to adjust and adapt. If something isn’t working you change your plan but never you definite chief purpose. This is how you get what you want.

This is what separates the champion from those who are not. These characteristics are the characteristics of an emperor. MINDSET is what separates those who get, and who have, from those who do not. It is never a question of IF you will achieve it, but WHEN you make it happen.

ATTITUDE gives you the edge. Attitude is everything! Develop the mindset of the emperor and the champion. DETERMINE WHAT YOU WANT (what is good for you and will not harm anyone else) and MAKE it happen.

You can be, do and have whatever you want. It is up to you. DECIDE NOW that you can and that you will make it happen AND YOU WILL! ‘What you can conceive and believe you can achieve!’ DO IT! Make all your dreams come true!” Rex Sikes

Have a beautiful 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.

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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.

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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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Without This Your Chances For Success Are Slim

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“‘Five years passed before the chance he had been seeking made its appearance. During all those years, not one ray of hope, not one promise of attainment of his DESIRE, had been held out to him.’

‘To everyone except himself, he appeared to be only another cog in the Edison business wheel, but in his own mind HE WAS THE PARTNER OF EDISON EVERY MINUTE OF THE TIME from the very day that he first went to work there.’ Napoleon Hill, Think and Grow Rich

Consider this. Would you hang in there for five years before the chance you seek makes its appearance? Hill says there was not a SINGLE ray of hope or promise held out to him that he would get what he wanted. For five years Barnes persisted. Would you?

In His Own Mind He Was Edison’s Partner

In order to make our dreams come true we may very well face circumstances such as these. That is why faith is the belief in things not seen. Not a single shred of evidence that he would get his goals was visible for him, yet, he persisted. He believed it would happen.

To everyone else he was just another worker BUT IN HIS OWN MIND he was a partner of Edison every minute of the time from the day he went to work there. In his mind he saw himself already possessing what he came for. He already claimed his future!

He was Edison’s partner in his mental movie theater. Outward reality differed, there was nothing to even indicate he would eventually succeed. Inside him his dream was alive. Hill said, he intensified his desire, as I pointed out previously. He saw and heard and felt himself already a partner with Edison. He lived it within.

This is what we must do. We must have such a powerful, positive, singular focus that we let  nothing detract us from our purpose or our goals. The outer circumstances must not deter us from what we want to accomplish. We need to have such a great desire and unshakable faith in ourself.

What You See Is What You Get

We make it happen by what we see and say to ourselves. We make it happen by our intense positive feelings. We make it happen because we believe it will and we keep the faith. We make it happen by doing whatever positive good it takes and by not giving up. This is what Barnes did day in and day out. 5 years with no indication of success.

As Hill points out again and again, ‘any dominating idea, plan or purpose held in the conscious mind through repetition of thought and emotionalized by a burning desire for its realization is taken over by the subconscious and acted upon through whatever natural and logical means may be available.’

Barnes knew his destiny. He knew it was only a matter of time. He was determined to wait it out. How we wait is important. It didn’t matter to him that he was waiting because on the inside he already realized his dream. It was just a matter of when the opportunity would present itself that he could take advantage.

Actively Focus On Your Dreams And Goals 

As we shall later see in an upcoming post. ‘A mind alerted by definiteness of purpose recognizes opportunities and inspires the courage necessary to seize upon such opportunities when they are presented.’ In time an opportunity arose that Barnes could act on in order to achieve his purpose.

Would you have the mindset, the confidence and the will power to pursue your dreams as Barnes had? He was completely dedicated and convinced of the future that awaited him. This is a common characteristic reported by some of the most successful people.They always knew it would happen even when facing unbelievable odds.

Faith and passion kept them on track. This is why you must clarify and know you purpose. You must want it so bad that you will stick with it when there is no evidence you will succeed. You must be committed and never give up! Are you this dedicated to making your dreams come true? If you are there will be no stopping you!” Rex Sikes

Make today spectacular!

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!

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!

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Horizons photo used with permission of Phil Koch.

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Why Do Some Succeed While Others Struggle And Give Up?

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“What makes some people winners and not others? Why do some succeed while others struggle and give up? What separates the wheat from the chaff? Are their differences? Do you have what it takes? If not, why not? Can success be learned? Can you be happy most of the time?

Absolutely! You can be happy most of the time. Success and happiness leave clues that you can use to be that too. It is far more scientific than you think. There are formulas, recipes, that when faithfully applied, you can use to help get what you desire most.

If You Really Want To Do Something You Will Find A Way

When you follow a cake recipe precisely, you get a similar cake; when you follow the recipes for happiness and success you get similar results. If you want it bad enough and you stick with the recipe you will get what you desire. It is simple enough!

Hill, said this about Edwin C. Barnes, (I continue this discussion from previous post). ‘Barnes succeeded because he chose a definite goal, placed all his energy, all his willpower, all his effort, everything back of that goal.’

‘He did not become the partner of Edison the day he arrived. He was content to start at the most menial work as long as it provided an opportunity to take even one step toward his cherished goal.’

If You Don’t Want To Do It You’ll Find An Excuse?

Barnes knew what he wanted. He saw it, he heard it, he lived it in his mind, repeatedly. He was definite about what he wanted. It consumed him. He imagined himself as Edison’s partner long before he became his partner, even when there was no evidence he would ever become one. Still, he placed all his energy, his willpower and his effort back of his goal. He would have bet on himself to win!

Are you willing to do that? Will you go after what you want and let nothing deter you? Can you say you have visualized your positive good day and night? Do you live your dream inside your mind and feel convinced it is yours? Do you know it is bound to happen? ARE you convinced you can do it? Do you have confidence you have what it takes?

If you have answered yes, you may well be on the way to making your dreams come true. However, if you have answered no to any of these, you will want to make adjustments in your thinking. Your thoughts and energies need to be aligned. You some work on yourself! You are more assured of getting your goal if you want it so bad you can taste it.

Are You Interested?  It Would Be Nice, Right?

If it is merely a wish, something that might make you happy, something you could try and if it doesn’t work out you will change, then it is more than likely you won’t make it happen. If you bail as soon as it gets tough then, obviously not. Barnes knew what he wanted and was determined to make it happen no matter what.

THAT is determination! That is conviction! That is faith in oneself. That is what you, and I and all of us need. For 5 years Barnes was content to do menial work, nothing even close to his goal, as long as it provided an opportunity to take even one step closer. Barnes was in for the long haul. Are you?

This clarity of purpose, this certainty, this willingness to do whatever positive steps it takes is what we to need to have. If you want to succeed you first need to be success minded. We will discuss this more in future blogs. Barnes is a great example of what we need and what can be the result when we apply ourselves deliberately.

Or Are You Committed?

The world can be your oyster? Is it? If it isn’t why isn’t it? You need not deprive anyone else of anything to have a wonderful fulfilling life. There is more than plenty for all. You are deceiving yourself if you think otherwise. Attitude determines your altitude.

You can be, do and have and enjoy everything life offers but it all starts from within. Many people, mistakenly think it comes from the outside. It doesn’t. What you need you already have within you only have to discover it and let it out!” Rex Sikes

Celebrate this day!

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Horizons photo used with permission of Phil Koch.

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Why Most People Fail – How You Can Succeed!

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“There is a reason why many people don’t reach their goals. There are reasons why most don’t live the life they hope to. Do you want to stop failing and start winning more often? You can. You can begin to win more reliably too. Success is pretty much scientific.

Most people will think it depends on largely on luck. They put the success factors on the outside of themselves and in the hands of others. If you want to succeed you must be the one in charge. Yet, most fail to do this.

One of the most marvelous books ever written is ‘Think And Grow Rich’ by Napoleon Hill. You must read it if you haven’t. If you have read it you must read it again and again. It is a  book to be studied, ingested and digested. It is so rich with everything we need to know to get ahead and the reasons why most people don’t.

Know Your Definite Chief Purpose

I read a chapter over each day for 30 days at a time. I have done as many as 3 chapters at a time. Especially, chapters 2, 3,and 4. Today, I want to examine a sentence or two from chapter 1. Hill discusses Edwin C. Barnes burning desire to work with Thomas Edison. He emphasized that Barnes really did discover that ‘people THINK And GROW RICH’.

The title itself speaks volumes. Hill doesn’t say work hard and grow rich. Get a job and grow rich. Invest and grow rich. He says, think and grow rich and then explains how to make this happen. His book is amazing. The next two sentences are the ones I want to examine. Keep in mind that Barnes discovered people think and grow rich.

‘His discovery did not come about at one sitting. It came little by little…’ and we stop there. The difficulty people have applying the Law Of Attraction or Science of the Mind or these principles is because today we have grown up expecting everything to happen quick and easy. Certainly, it may but lot’s of things in life don’t. Many things take time.

Develop Passion – A White Hot Burning Desire

It takes time for seeds to grow; for you and I to grow up. To cook a nice meal. To travel from point A to point B. To watch a movie from beginning to end. Still advertisers have promised us magic for a fee, quick, easy, effortless. Magic pills, magic bullets, magic time frames. We have instant on television, high speed internet and so many things that spoil us for those that take time.

Barnes made his discovery but not at one sitting. IT CAME LITTLE BY LITTLE. Once you decide you want to become a deliberate creator or attractor you need to realize most things aren’t revealed all at once. It comes bit by bit. There is no genii in a bottle it is a progression, evolution, an unfolding. You grow into the abilities to make things happen.

Yes, some may be quicker at it than others but if any one person attempts and persists, and does not give up, that person, assuming they are following instructions, rightly using the principles, will succeed. It doesn’t work for some and not all. It works for everyone! Sadly, not every one keeps at it until it works.

Develop Faith – An Indomitable Belief In Yourself & Your Abilities

People try and, after awhile of not having instant results, abandon ship! They jump. Then they state, ‘I tried it and IT didn’t work’. It isn’t it that doesn’t work it is YOU that didn’t keep at it.

SORRY that is the truth, cold, hard and painful as that may be, the only failure there is IS giving up. Stop blaming IT and learn how to make it work instead. Stop whining and do it, is the advice. Persist don’t quit.

Step by step you get to your destination. ALL along the way IS the journey. ALL along the journey is discovery. Ultimately, if you keep going you will get there AS long as you don’t permanently stop trying. Along the way you will learn the ropes. It is a process that unfolds. It is magical but not fairy tale magic.

If you really, REALLY want it. Focus on it. Concentrate on it to the exclusion of most everything else. Believe you can get it. Have total faith in yourself. Then go after it and don’t stop trying until you get it. That is the formula for success. Get your mindset on right so the rest follows. THINK and grow rich. Drop by drop fills the tub.

Daily: Affirm & Visualize Using Strong Positive Emotions

You will accomplish your dreams if you pursue them relentlessly and don’t let anything deter you or stop you. In order to do that you must absolutely want it and not anything else. You must believe that you can do it and make it happen. Then you must take positive, productive steps to get there. THERE is no other way.

It didn’t happen for Barnes overnight. From the time he first thought it, to the time he got to Edison, is anyone’s guess how long that was. From his first meeting with Edison until he was working WITH Edison took 5 years. He didn’t start at the top he started at the bottom but he never let anything deter him from his goal. He knew his destiny and he kept at it until he fulfilled it.

Another important sentence, ‘ But something important was happening in Barnes’ mind. He was constantly intensifying his desire to become the business associate of Edison.’  Why do most fail? Because they wimp out, quit, whine and complain. They want it easy and overnight. They want it handed to them. They put responsibility outside themselves.

Persist – Never, Ever Give Up If You Want To Get There

Nothing appeared to be happening. For the five years his dream was only in his mind. There was no visible evidence of it in the world. His circumstances were that he was a lowly worker for Edison.

All that time ‘he was constantly INTENSIFYING his desire..’ He was intensifying it! Most people would whine and complain and look for something else to do. Not Barnes! He stuck with it! Most people who bail. Barnes knew he what his destiny was. He believed!

How do you succeed? You follow the rules, the instructions, the principles and you keep applying them until you have the success you want. You intensify your desire. You keep the faith and believe in yourself. You expect yourself to prevail.

It seems hard but it is simple. It may not always be easy but it is still simple. The formula is right here. Too many people are flighty like the bee from flower to flower. Still, the bee is on a singular mission and so must you be.  How to succeed is all spelled out. Stop wishing and start doing it. It begins with your thoughts.

Success comes from within you. Ultimately you will succeed as long as you keep at it. If you are determined to no matter how long it takes YOU WILL! In the mean time, INTENSIFY YOUR DESIRE! Make it happen! Prepare your mind! Develop an unstoppable determination, a steel will, and make your dreams come true!” Rex Sikes

Celebrate today!”

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Horizons photo used with permission of Phil Koch.

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I’ll Bet You Never Actually Heard The Lyrics To This Famous Song!

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“I’m sharing a famous song. Perhaps, it is time you stopped and listened to the lyrics. I’m sure most of you have seen the show or heard this countless times.

Did you realize this is what they were singing about? Probably not. Seems to have slipped by most people. No worries. I’m sure it wasn’t meant to make us think.

Perhaps now, though we should embrace it. Maybe, we should each make it our own personal theme song. I mean, why not? It is catchy, after all.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJzF8_df1R8

Did you enjoy that? I hope so.

Enjoy, 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!