Category Archives: Positive Thinking

Acceptance, Affirmations, Attitude, Blessings, Celebration, Creating The Future, Decision, Emotions, Faith, Focus, Forgiveness, Gratitude, Happiness, Intentional Thinking, Mental Movie Theater, Mentor, Overcoming Difficulty, Persistence, Positive Thinking, Responsibility, Self Talk, Visualization

What To Do When Unexpected Challenges Arise And You Feel Fear

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horizons flowers and flowers

“My blog today is in response to comment left yesterday. It is a piece of a puzzle. It is a first step in a journey. It is a morsel of food in the meal you eat. Without knowing specifics (this is not a request to know) the suggestions I have are general. Absolutely valuable and applicable anytime, but still general.

It may not be what the individual needs to read or hear at this time, and the person may be better served seeking answers elsewhere from someone in person.

Still, the principles are applicable to all of us in our quest for a more wonderful life so I wrote in reply, actually to all of us. Each of us face challenges, hopefully, this will encourage.

The reader commented, and I am always happy when readers comment. When someone reaches out, or shares insight, loves or hates something it is good to know. That is WHY there IS a comment section so you can LEAVE comments!

Here is the comment:

‘I’m facing an unexpected and very challenging situation. And I do feel fear. I agree with what you have written, but my path seems unclear to me. I want peace and a stable situation. (And I have re-written this 9 different ways)……Changing my thoughts will change my actions and change the situation.’

First,  I wish you the best. I am glad you commented. You are doing for yourself and working to make it work for you. That is excellent.

It is not uncommon to feel fear from an unexpected and challenging situation. That is quite normal. It is what we do as humans.

Getting clear about your path is what you do want to do.  When confronted with obstacles we may not know what to do or where to go. Still, in order to journey onward we first need to clarify where we want to end up. Otherwise, we may or may not make any progress.

How would we know if we were progressing if we don’t know where our destination is? Plus, it is important that we make certain we are focused on where we want to go to or end up.

Circumstances can be challenging and difficult, for certain. The learning we all need to acquire is to notice the circumstances but not focus on them. Stop giving the circumstances your attention and energy. Decide what you want instead, not what you do not want.

When you repeat,  ‘Changing my thoughts will change my actions and change the situation.’ while accurate notice what your attention is on. Change the situation. You want to change your thoughts and actions in order to change the situation.

How might you phrase your affirmation to put the emphasis on what you want instead of focusing on the situation? That is where you need to put you emphasis or focus. Think about what you want. Also affirm what you want to feel.

For example, ‘I am calm’; ‘I am confident’; ‘I am able to learn to do anything I put my mind to’; ‘I have peace of mind’; ‘I feel joy’. Whatever you want to think, feel and be. Simply put whatever you want to be after ‘I am’ or ‘I have’ or ‘I feel’. Present tense.

You might also ask Directed Questions™: ‘I wonder how soon I can discover myself easily find more peace and joy throughout today?’ In how many ways will I be delighted and amazed to feel my confidence growing in leaps and bounds?”

You can use what it is you don’t want to help you clarify what it is you do want. Make sure you know what you want and then imagine what you want fully. Whatever it is use your imagination and imagine all the positive good you want to have. Imagine it as though you already have it. It has happened. It is yours.

You want your energy to go where you want. That is why you place you attention on what you want. The work is to keep the attention on the good you want to create and positively have. It takes practice. It does take discipline but anyone can learn to do it in time.

The secret is keeping it there. Going back and forth from feeling positive and confident to doubtful and fearful is what keeps us stuck. We need to overwhelmingly feel positive and confident. We need our focus to be on the good most of the time. Of course, everyone has a negative thought.

As soon as you notice the negative thought or feeling steer it back to positive. Two things happen. One is this is the training we all need. The ability to control and steer our mind and get it to serve us instead of being out master is the skill we need to develop. Two it will make the difference. You will be more positive more of the time!

Make sure what you want is a win/win for you and everyone; wonderful and positive! Place your focus on this. You may not know how to bring it about yet but stay focused on what you want to create. The good you want to create is the good you focus on and imagine throughout the day. This is what you can create!

Feel the good feelings that come with the good you desire. If the world were perfect and your situation resolved and you were your ideal self, being, doing and having what you want how would you feel?

Those are the feelings you want to have more of. Those are the feeling you want to savor and bask in when you think about your destination.

Those are the feelings you want to spend time with. Day and night, and as often as you can, think of the good, see it in your mind’s eye and feel the marvelous feelings. As long as you win and others with there is no disharmony.

What we think about we bring about! If we concentrate on avoiding what we don’t want we just get more of the same. If we focus on what we DO want to create for ourselves we get more of that.

Even though you may not know how it will come about this is what you concentrate on. You think, have faith and affirm that everything will work out for good even though you don’t have any idea how. It is okay not to know how. It really is.

We all need to learn to do this. It is similar to planting a seed. It grows where we can’t see it grow at first, underground. The results of our decision, to focus on the good we want to create, is at first invisible.

We must keep the faith that ultimately everything will work out and that we will be able to behave resourcefully. It isn’t magic or wishing. It is the application of principles that changes the course of our future.

If you decide you want to take boat across the sea to a distant land you have to know where you are going. You determine where you want to end up and you go there. If storms come up along the way you have to navigate through, or around them and get back on course, to get to your destination.

When you focus and believe in yourself you marshall your inner resources. When challenged it is the opportunity to learn lessons and discover the very best within you. The key is to not give up or lose faith. Believe in yourself. Affirm you can do this!

In your present circumstances you may need to find someone who has already navigated the troubled waters, someone who can positively mentor you because they have been there and gone through that and come out the other side successfully. Someone in your area whom you can rely on, confide in and trust. If you need help or assistance reach out.

Inside you is an internal GPS. It knows all the routes and has all the answers you need to get where you want to go. You have the resources to make positive changes, even though you may not be aware that you do, and yet, that can being to easily clear up.

As you keep positive and keep faith in your own inner abilities you may find yourself discovering more of what you need to know in order to move ahead confidently and safely. Trust in yourself to make the wisest choices even though you don’t know what these are yet. Believe in you!

Attitude makes a big difference. This may be just what you look back on some day and are thankful for. If you can cultivate that attitude while going through it you are ahead of the game.

The opportunity to grow and develop comes from adversity. The statement, ‘the kite rises against the wind’ is applicable. Challenge will help you grow in the long run and you will learn a lot from the situation about yourself and your resourcefulness.

I hope, my words help. Understand I have little to go on and I can’t, no one can, solve anything for you. That is up to each individual to do for oneself. I hope, though, in some small way, I can encourage you to stay strong and take everything lightly.

Put into practice the principles you have been learning. Fill your mind each day with positive, inspirational material. Read and listen to positive books and audios. Fill your mind with ‘can do’ messages. Find positive people to encourage and support you.

Manage your self talk and speak only to bless, heal and prosper. Visualize what you want, as already discussed, and grow your faith in your ability to have a positive present and future. Find things to celebrate and appreciate in areas of life, even in the challenges.

Be the victor of the circumstances. Decide to prevail against troubles and to create more love, joy and happiness for all. Determine to live as a champion and stay positive and confident. You will as you keep your focus on what you want to create! It works. It does work. It is YOU who makes it work!” Rex Sikes

PS I wrote this response, then just as I went to publish, it occurs to me that, perhaps, you weren’t looking for a reply. If I made an incorrect assumption I apologize. I say this because I realize that not everyone wants someone to reply, sometimes we just wish to be heard or listened to. Sometimes we just want a hug.

Have a wonderful day!

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Horizons photo used with permission of Phil Koch.

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

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

Acceptance, Affirmations, Attitude, Beliefs, Blessings, Celebration, Decision, Emotions, Faith, Gratitude, Happiness, Healthy Choices, Intentional Thinking, Joy, Overcoming Difficulty, Persistence, Positive Thinking, Responsibility

Want To Have An Incredible Life? Then Learn What These People Already Know!

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horizons sun-bathed-phil-koch

“Some people just live differently than others! They let nothing deter them from enjoying life. It is amazing and inspiring! It has to do with their beliefs and attitude. How would you respond to the following? What do you think about this and how it may apply to your life?

To lose a limb or the ability to walk or move would be devastating. Life crushing. I do not wish it on anyone. Yet, there have been people throughout time who have suffered tremendous accidents, lost body parts or were paralyzed, BUT continue to live as blessed. They live differently from the rest.

Recently, they made a movie of the surfer girl who lost her arm in a shark attack. She continues to surf. Others, with similar circumstances have been in the news. Sometimes, we see people who suffer greatly continue to suffer greatly.

Other times, we see people who express gratitude at being alive. For these, they seem to say, ‘life is an adventure. I did it with two arms now I do it with one. It doesn’t matter, great to be alive!’

They don’t let a challenge stop them.  It must be a major adjustment, still, some seem to never miss a beat. They go right on living cheerfully. Young, old, rich or poor, that doesn’t seem to matter.

I have used an example to explain some of this. This example, pales by comparison but I present it, and then another one, as food for thought. Although, I think these considerations are already enough of a meal.

How people maintain an incredible positive attitude in the face of life changing experiences is definitely worth learning and applying. Ok, my example, two people go to a movie and sit side by side. The movie ends, one loved it the other hated it.

Both express opinions. It seems as if these have something to do with the movie when actually their opinions reveal much about them; who they are and what they pay attention to.

After all, it is the same movie. Both individuals sat through it but had a different experience of it. It can’t be the movie. It must be about them!

Two people are in a terrible car crash but survive and are not badly injured. One is filled with fear and speaks repeatedly about how the accident was terrible and how close to being killed he was.

The other is thankful to have lived through a huge ordeal and speaks of being lucky or blessed or protected he feels. Same experience two different reactions. Two separate, independent outlooks. Do you think their outlook has anything to do with how they live their lives?

Some people blame the economy for their problems saying they just can’t get ahead. Others during that very same economy make a ton of money and state if it hadn’t been for the economy they’d have never discovered how to make so much money.

Pretty much we are all the same. We have different experiences and programming as we grow. We still live in the same world. It appears how we respond to the world and circumstances has everything to do with what we believe.

Our thoughts, our attitude determine how we live our lives. What we think determines our world and our opportunity or our disadvantage. It is mindset more than anything else!

Some people face tremendous odds and let nothing stop them or ruin their day. Some people are born with, what we call, challenges but excel more than others born without challenges. Some seem to buckle at the smallest provocation.

I prefer to think of living life without seeing walls that stop me. I prefer thinking of what I can do instead of what I can’t. I’d much rather be optimistic and positive and live happily and fully than anything else. I’d like to think most other people do too.

I am not certain any one knows how they will respond until faced with an obstacle. I think what they think and believe, makes a difference. If a big challenge comes there way are they prepared to handle it?

Some believe in an outer god; some a personal god; some believe in an inner god or divinity; some believe in no god; that doesn’t seem to make any difference.

Whatever else they believe in sure seems to make an incredible difference. What they think about themselves, their ability to live happily, handle difficulty, enjoy life, and the nature of the universe seems to make an incredible difference.

What would you do? How would you move forward? Is the glass half empty or half full? I think these examples, of what some might call courage, are a testimony to the awesome power of the human mind and spirit.

Their attitude certainly seems to determine their altitude. What do you think? What if you could learn, what these few people know, that makes them live their lives incredibly different from the rest of the people? Would you like to learn to live like this? If you could learn it would you?

There are people who choose to not let anything prevent them from enjoying this life to the fullest. They live as they wish no matter what happens to them or around them. They live as champions and victors over circumstances.

They continue to live joyfully. They consider the journey a marvelous adventure. This is wonderful and inspiring. It is absolutely possible that any one of us, all of us, can find the power within to be able to celebrate no matter what! When we are truly able to feel blessed regardless of circumstances then  life is transformation and we are incredibly rich in all ways.” Rex Sikes

This is your day! How will you use it?

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Horizons photo used with permission of Phil Koch.

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

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

Act As If, Affirmations, Attitude, Autosuggestion, Creating The Future, Emotions, Energy, Focus, Habit Formation, Intentional Thinking, Mind/Body, Mindset, Positive Thinking, Responsibility, Self Talk

How To Have The Energy You Want And Need Anytime!

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horizon halloween

“When it comes to having more energy or enough energy there is a secret. Yes, you can eat right and exercise right to feel more alive. This is important. Yet, there is something about energy you need to know and understand. You have all the energy you need at any time!

While you may balk at that statement it is accurate. Your body is not suffering from lack of energy you simply aren’t releasing or utilizing the energy you have properly. Proper breathing can help you to discover this.

I am not going to discuss, nutrition, exercise or breath work in this post. I am going to share with you another reliable approach to unlocking what is within you. Consider this for a moment: what happens to you when you get some really, great, life altering news?

Energy Begets Energy

Someone you love tells you they are going to get married, have a baby or you won some wonderful prize? What happens when you get some form of glad tidings? You get glad, right? You get excited, enthused, eager. You are happy and positive.

While it may seem like the news caused it, actually it didn’t. You released the enthusiasm and happiness. In an instant! One moment you felt one way in an instant you felt filled with joy! Perhaps, you did a high five, a chest bump, a happy dance, or hugged. You celebrated the news!

Now consider this: you had this burst, this release, this positive moment because you were excited by what you heard or saw, or read or… Your state changed, your being changed. I know you have had moments like this because we all have. It is called being human.

The More You Have The More You Get

You may have to search your memory to recall but if you are honest you know this is accurate. Before you go off into, ‘yeah but’, if that is something you typically do, stop and recall the moment. Fully live it for a while, if you are able. Enjoy it. Notice in doing this you may actually feel some or all of those very same feelings.

Isn’t that cool? Whenever we recall a marvelous state OR for that matter a less than glorious one we tend to feel the same way. It’s true. Think about the person who had an incident in traffic in the morning with an ‘ass’ and how each time they tell it throughout the day and into the evening they continue to get really mad.

The incident is past in the outer world but alive in the inner. Our neurology works this way. We feel part or all of a past prior experience through vivid recall. This is why remembering sad events make us sad or cry and why remembering happy ones cause us to feel the happy. It’s mind/body memory. It’s our neural pathways.

The More You Do The More You Can Do

Our thoughts make a huge difference. If you want to feel more energy and more alive then you must think the thoughts that release that in you. What we think about we bring about. We can change our emotional states by changing what we think about.

We change how we feel and what we can do and accomplish by changing our thinking to serve us. Your thoughts should serve you. You should not be a servant to your thoughts. Remember this! Now, if you want more energy do the following. Get excited! Get eager!

You must be enthused about yourself, the day, what you are doing, who you are seeing. You must get excited and be eager and happy. Thought precedes action and feeling. People can tell what you are thinking by your outside demeanor. You can tell if another person is positive or negative, happy or sad, a winner or a loser by looking.

You Are Where Your Thoughts Take You

Okay, it really isn’t fair to judge or call names but it is true, isn’t it? You can tell if someone has something going for him or her or not. It is based on the inner life that is reflected. The look in the eye. The carriage or the body, the movements, the sound of voice. Tell tale signs, body language, reveal the inner life.

Anytime you want to release energy get excited about something inside. Another way, is to each day, vigorously, out loud (in private) shout, chant, enthusiastically repeat your positive affirmations. You can look in the mirror for extra oomph! The military understands this and it is a huge part of their training and conditioning.

Chant your mantras out loud. ‘I feel wonderful! I am incredible! Life is great! I can do anything! I am capable and confident! Life is grand! Everything always works out for the best!’ Those are just samples you have your own. You do this five or ten minutes, or do it on your commute to work in your car and you will feel different.

The Results You Get, Your Feelings, Reveal Your Thinking

Do this at least two times a day for no less than 30 days and you will find your life changing. It is said a lie repeated enough becomes substituted for the truth. Even if you don’t believe it at first you do it loud enough, long enough, and you will. You will change your conditioning and what you believe is possible.

To be successful you need to make things an automatic reliable positive habit. You need to replace the habits that limit you or cause you to have lackluster results. If you want more energy you can instantly have it. IF you don’t believe it do the exercise I just suggested for at least 30 days. Then evaluate. BUT do it fully and completely!

If you want things in your life to change you must change things in your life. You must shake it up and loosen the hold the old thinking has on you. Then replace it with positive, powerful, productive, new thinking that supports and encourages you in getting what you want. Thought comes first. You want energy you can have it!

Transformation Happens The Instant You Make A Decision

You already have it. Unleash the energy within you. While you are at it unleash your inner genius and inner power. Unleash your inner charm and charisma. Unleash your inner confidence. You think you lack anything you do not! It is there inside you wanting to get out, hidden, kept captive, by layers of old thinking and behaving.

You can let it out and change your world. You can transform yourself from a can’t do person to a can do one! You can dream big and make your dreams come true. You can walk the planet as a victor and champion. Others will look and take notice. Or you can remain the same. The choice is yours! Decided today!” Rex Sikes

Be glad and celebrate this day!

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Horizons photo used with permission of Phil Koch.

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

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

Act As If, Affirmations, Attitude, Autosuggestion, Beliefs, Confidence, Creating The Future, Expectations, Faith, Focus, Intentional Thinking, Mindset, Positive Thinking

Without This Ingredient Your Struggle Will Continue

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horizons red plants

“I’d like to discuss that which makes your dreams come true. It is the special ingredient, when added to desire, makes you unstoppable. It makes you absolutely capable of creating what you want. To discuss this I will use some verses most people are familiar with. I hope you won’t mind. I think the verse speaks volumes to this point.

‘Faith without works is dead’,  is usually understood to mean good works. If you believe in love, for example, then you should behave in loving ways. You should do things for others that exemplify love. Others should be able to tell what you believe in by your actions. If you speak about love but are not loving your faith is dead.

By Their Fruits You Shall Know Them

You know the tree is an apple or orange tree by the fruit it bears. So if you love others, you may be known as a loving person. I want to add to these definitions when it comes to living the kind of life we want. I want to add to it because there is hope and there is faith and there is a difference between the two.

I may hope to get a bicycle for a holiday gift. I am not sure I will get one but I have a great wish. This is different from I expect to get a bicycle. With hope I may or may not get it and I sure want it. With the expectation of getting the bicycle, I sure want it and I have every confidence that I will receive it. I believe it. I have faith. I know.

With hope I am not certain but with faith I am certain. With faith their is no question. It has been said that ‘faith is seeing the invisible’. With faith we see what is not yet apparent. One might look at the chaotic world around them, but see a brighter day. One may look into the heart of a troubled child but see a great leader.

When A Fearless Heart Believes Miracles Happen

With faith one looks forward, anticipating what is to come, or what is already there, to be revealed. In faith one sees the circumstances that one intends to bring about rather than what is presently there. It is not a wish it is a knowing. It is confidence. When you know something is going to happen there is no dispute, there is no doubt.

I believe that if you have faith in yourself, if you believe you will make you dreams come true, if you have faith that it will happen no matter what then you look and behave a certain way. You believe in the invisible, and do not let circumstances dissuade or prevent you. You are known by your works, by your fruit.

Many people think a person of faith believes in an unseen power, meaning God, or powers of the universe, and that is fine. I let people place their faith where they wish. For purposes of this discussion I am placing the locus of faith on, or in, the human, you and me. I am suggesting that when your faith in yourself is unwavering you can accomplish incredible things.

With Faith All Things Are Possible

We will continue to discuss this in upcoming posts because it is an important point in manifesting the future you want. You must be able to see it, believe it is yours to have, and that you will have it. Faith is about what IS and works in the present. Faith is not about the future as I’ll share soon.

‘Faith without works is dead’ means faith is active. It is action. ‘By their fruits you will know them’ means you can recognize a person with faith by actions and behaviors. If you have faith you think, speak and act in specific ways others without faith, don’t. People will see in you that difference.

Faith is immediate. For example, If you are confident you act confident right now. You will also be confident in the future. It is who you are. Faith is freedom from fear, worry, and doubt. We need to cultivate faith to live the life we want. From that faith the life we want will come to be. Faith is the seed. Plant it! ” Rex Sikes

Delight in this day!

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Horizons photo used with permission of Phil Koch.

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

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

Acceptance, Act As If, Affirmations, Attitude, Autosuggestion, Celebration, Emotions, Focus, Gratitude, Intentional Thinking, Joy, Mindset, Persistence, Positive Thinking, Rehearsal And Practice

The Easiest And Quickest Way To Make Your Life Wonderful!

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horizon orange flowers orange sky

“If you could find a way to easily make all of your life wonderful you would do it, wouldn’t you? If there was one simple thing to remember to do each day you’d do it, right?

If it meant making a huge difference for how much you enjoyed your experience would you put it into practice and apply it? You may have heard it before but unless you are actively applying it, you are missing out.

What is it you can do that will have such a great effect? It is the practice of gratitude for every thing. It is actively appreciating all aspects of your life and continuing to do it. Here is what to do:

You Got To Accentuate The Positive

Find, validate and repeat the validation for things, people, circumstances, events, and belongings, you are grateful for because this practice reinforces it. Repeat, repeat, repeat.

Celebrate everything you can find to be grateful about over and over again. It builds the habit of finding good things, and feeling good about them. You get back more of what you put out!

As you do this you spend more time feeling good and grateful. What you focus on expands so your own brain will help you find and make connections to other things you can appreciate too.

Remember, the Reticular Activating System (RAS), looks to match the outer with what you have going on inside. It’s job is to provide you evidence for what you already believe on the inside.

Good taste dictates that you believe and think wonderful thoughts on the inside. You find more and more. Like attracts like. Birds of a feather flock together. In finding more your feel better and better.

The More We Do The Easier It Becomes And The More We Can Do

Pretty good deal, if you ask me. You begin to find areas to be grateful about things you perviously might never have considered. Your ability to look, find, consider, validate and celebrate expands even more. You get better at it and build a reliable skill.

The more you find to appreciate the more you transform every aspect of your life, past and present. By living in gratitude and celebration you open the doorway and floodgates of the future.

Life, for you, becomes a celebration. When you live thinking and feeling this way you get back more of what you have. Remember, like attracts like and birds of a feather… You live in increase!

You create and attract a most marvelous life. When outer events throw you curve balls, at any time, you are more prepared and resourceful to respond in positive and powerful ways.

Perfect Practice Repeated Again And Again Makes Perfect

Because you have emphasized and practiced feeling grateful, because you have made it a habit, it automatically works for you. You really do become what you think about.

Remember, what they recommend on shampoo bottles. ‘Wash, rinse and repeat’. The practice for your good mental health and well being is the same in essence. Cleanse your mind with appreciation and repeat then do it again.

Then repeat and repeat and repeat. Rehearse the skill you want to develop as an actor does. Practice the skill again and again, drill it, as an athlete does.

Act as if you are already living the life you want, in your mind, and that life can become yours. What you think about you bring about. Fill your mind with all the positive good you can find and focus on it.

If most of your thoughts, most of your time are celebrations if most of your time is spent thinking and feeling grateful you transform your life into a life most grand. Use the 80/20 rule. Think 80% positive!

Luck Is The Crossroad Where Preparation And Opportunity Meet

You continue to find blessings because that is how your mind and being now operates. When you are optimistic and happy your mind works clearer and better. You’ll only discover this through application.

You will find more opportunity and advantages than you can ever imagine. Your brain will look to match the good things on the outside with those you imagine on the inside. That is its job!

What have you done and learned in doing this? That you can and that you did take charge of your mind and control of your thoughts. Your entire life improves because you made and effort and followed through.

What was your effort? Count your blessings and repeat. Celebrate and delight in things that bring you joy. Keep looking and finding things to appreciate. A pretty good trade off, don’t you think?” Rex Sikes

Make your day a celebration!

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Horizons photo used with permission of Phil Koch.

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

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

Attitude, Beliefs, Creator, Decision, Expectations, Mindset, Personal Development, Positive Thinking, Responsibility, Self Improvement

You Always Determine The Outcome!

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“We have been discussing beliefs. In my last post I mentioned that you are only one thought away from having what you want. I quoted Henry Ford.

‘Whether you think you can or you think you can’t; you are right.’

I mentioned the role of our Reticular Activating System. It finds proof for our beliefs.

I said, you are only a thought away!

Some readers, likely, thought, that is not true.

Others thought, yes, it is.

Some think, it is difficult to get what you want and unlikely.

Others think, it is easy and eminently possible.

And so it is!

Whichever you think you are right!

That IS Ford’s point!

What was your first thought? How did you react?

We’ll discuss how you change it the next time.” Rex SIkes

Have a beautiful day!

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Horizons photo used with permission of Phil Koch.

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

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Act As If, Attitude, Beliefs, Celebration, Creator, Decision, Expectations, Faith, Focus, Gratitude, Intentional Thinking, Mindset, Positive Thinking, Responsibility, Success

You Are Only One Thought Away From Making All Your Dreams Come True!

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horizons red dawn

“Henry Ford said, ‘whether you think you can or you think you can’t; you are right!’ We have been discussing beliefs and the role of the Reticular Activating System (RAS), that part of your brain that looks for outer world matches to your inner world beliefs.

In other words, what you hold in your mind your brain actually finds evidence for. Driving home the point that Believing IS Seeing and not the other way around. We find evidence for what we already believe. We prove ourselves right. That is the job of the RAS.

Ford was correct. Whether you think you can or you think you can’t; you are right. You will find the evidence and prove yourself right either way. That should stop each of us and give us a great pause.

If I prove myself sad, poor, stuck, out of work, lackluster, disabled, morose IS that how I want to live? If my thoughts determine my results, perhaps, I should learn to manage my mind and change my thoughts? Don’t you think?

Either you live a life of can’t or a life of can. If you could have happiness, love, peace, fun, adventure, money wouldn’t you prefer that? My guess is most of us do even thought our lives run counter to what we wish for. The reason for that has been made clear.

We get the results in the outer world that we first create in our inner world. If we think we can’t we won’t. If we think we are undeserving, worthless and not entitled to wealth or happiness we will never get it, because we will instead, prove ourselves right.

Hmmm. I think I’d rather be wrong and rich! Wrong and happy! Wrong and in love with a partner, family and friends. I’d rather take control and make the positive, wonderful life happen. Because, if I think I can I am right! Wouldn’t you?

Do you realize you are only a thought away from having everything you wish and dream for? A thought away. Don’t you think it is time to take control and get and live the life you want? However you answer these questions YOU ARE RIGHT! The proof is forthcoming.

As for me, I prefer to live abundantly in all things. I believe I deserve it, as does everyone else. I believe it is all mine for the enjoying, as it is for you too. I prefer to make good things happen and live powerfully and positively. BECAUSE I CAN! SO CAN YOU! You are only one thought away!” Rex Sikes

Make your day count!

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Horizons photo used with permission of Phil Koch.

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

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

Acceptance, Affirmations, Attitude, Beliefs, Celebration, Creating The Future, Energy, Faith, Focus, Gratitude, Intentional Thinking, Law Of Attraction, Mindset, Overcoming Difficulty, Positive Thinking, Responsibility, Self Improvement, Vibrations

Why Negative Things Happen To Positive People

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horizons pathway into sky

“A questioner asked me recently, ‘Why, if one is positive and practices the Law Of Attraction (LOA), do less than glorious things sometimes happen?’ Today, I am going to share an answer to this  question. This is my emailed reply. I delete the name and relevant details.

I don’t have all the answers. I only have my feelings for how some things may work or not. This was my answer to this individual. It is not meant to be a blanket answer to cover everything. Still, I hope it provides food for thought. Note: Bolded sentences were not part of the email answer to her. I use them here only.

Hi,

I’m sorry to hear about your accidents and glad you are alright. I have some thoughts but let me preface it by saying I am not at all sure they are correct or apply. BUT again, sorry to learn of your recent difficulties.

When You Don’t Know What To Do Celebrate And Be Glad

Having said that, yes, be grateful. Celebrate and be glad. Who knows why bad things happen to good people. They just do. It rains on the good and the bad – the sun shines on both too.

What to say? Perhaps, it is all still perfect in the scheme of things and you simply can’t see what is around the bend yet. One day looking back you may be able to connect the dots. For now it is obscured. That may be just the way it is. What to do?

Celebrate and be glad anyway. Expect good things to happen and for everything to work out for the best. Stay focused on the positive and what you want to create for yourself in your future. Don’t let present circumstances distract you. Keep the focus and the faith and persist.

One thing I learned to do, whether or not is is true or not. I learned to take 100% responsibility for everything that happens good or bad. That means if something bad happens I assume somehow I am responsible. MAYBE I am not but it doesn’t do me any good to try to find out who is or why or blame others.

Responsibility Is For Your Benefit – Really No Other Reason

I accept it as something I have created. It helps me to put my focus more clearly and steadily on the positive good I want to create.

Taking responsibility in this way puts me in charge and gives me power. I am not a victim but the architect of my story. If I created something bad then I can create something good. I can write the outcome more how I want it.

I don’t know why, when everything is going right, we get up and stub our toe. Maybe it is to keep us humble OR perhaps, without contrast,  we would loose sight of all the good.

Another theory is you are god and you create everything and the world is illusion. Everything that happens is an opportunity to remember your divinity. I don’t know if this is accurate or not either but heck, why not. It is just as reasonable an explanation as any other. (Though many people and religions will disagree).

We See Through A Mirror Dimly

Recently, within the past year, I wrote a blog about acceptance and going with the flow. I used freeway traffic, or any traffic, as an exercise to remember, and keep in mind, everything is perfect. For example, you are in a hurry, but traffic is not. You are stuck. You will be late you can’t do anything about it.

Well, you can suffer and burn, swear and hate. OR you can let go and think, ‘this is exactly where I am supposed to be right now stuck in traffic. I have choices. No matter what happens, from here on out, ultimately, it will all work out for me.’

So you get there late, you are fired. You can’t pay your bills, you lose your car…

We Can’t Know The End Of The Story…

We all have heard stories like this… actor down and out… penniless and homeless BUT never loses sight of what is important and one day while pushing their grocery cart they meet an agent and voila’ the rest is history.

OKAY, it’s a fairy tale. BUT looking back ,often times, people will say, ‘the best thing that ever happened…’ was this negative event. BECAUSE, ‘if it hadn’t then I never would have…’

And on it goes. Keep the faith. Stay positive. Perhaps, it is a test. A self test or from the universe. Who knows?  It’s a test to see if you can maintain a positive, grateful stance while things fall apart.

I don’t know. I don’t know the truth. BUT I do know this. If you are able to stay positive, in spite of it all,  AND you are able to maintain your focus and celebrate and be grateful for EVERYTHING, you are far ahead of many others, far ahead in the game of life, and you will ultimately attract more good things to you.

… Don’t Get Caught In A Chapter

If on the other hand you get negative and down and out and let it pull you down you will also attract more negativity. SO the choice is always yours and yours alone. As you stated, Like attracts like. So just make sure you attract what you intend to attract.

IF you created the incidents – cool – don’t get down on yourself. If you didn’t don’t get down on yourself or others or god or universe or whatever. Utilize this as an opportunity to grow stronger, more positive and have more faith in yourself.

Maintain  your positive attitude. Stay focused on what you have that you are grateful for. Focus on that which you enjoy and what you desire most. Make more good happen.

Find A Way To Feel The Best You Can Most Of The Time

It could have been residual hang over from a previous lapse. There is the theory that what we experience today we create a while back. What we create tomorrow comes from our thoughts today. SO keep focused and positive. Love yourself, love life, radiate delight.

I don’t think having a positive attitude means nothing bad ever happens. It means, when it does, we can triumph over it quicker and easier than otherwise. It also means that, for the most part, we attract wonderful things into our life.

It does not mean that everything necessarily becomes fairy tale perfect. TOO many gods running about on the planet for that to happen.

Don’t Get Caught Up In Why – Live, Love, Laugh

Enjoy everything. Live to the utmost. Laugh, love and enjoy. Spend most of your time there and little else will matter. YOU are a creator keep creating the good. You are a magnet keep attracting the good. Radiate light and vibrate high positive energy. Celebrate each minute.

Then we are free no matter what transpires. Should we fall down and get bummed out, so what, dust yourself off, get up and carry on. No one said we are 100% of the time perfectly happy or positive either.

I mentioned the theory that we are gods, creators, lost in illusion that we are not. We don’t remember our true divine nature. Whether, true or not, has some great lessons for us.

If we get caught up in illusion from time to time who cares?  That is part of the game we are playing with ourselves. The ultimate goal of this divine game is to remember we are gods and remember we have choice. Of course, the illusion is we don’t and that things may be bad.

Everything Is As It Is Perfect In Its Own Way

Everything is perfect in its own way. We just can’t figure it out yet. WHO knows what good those incidents may lead to (if any) but it doesn’t matter. Keep the focus and the faith and move forward.

I don’t know if any of this helps or provides you any comfort or direction. I am happy you reached out to me. I wish you the best in all things and encourage you to stay in touch. Hope the auditions go well too. Let me know your thoughts.” Rex Sikes

Each moment is a miracle!

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Horizons photo used with permission of Phil Koch.

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

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

Celebration, Creating The Future, Decision, Directed Questions™, Energy, Flow, Focus, Gratitude, Habit Formation, Healthy Choices, Intentional Thinking, Positive Thinking, Responsibility, Self Talk, Success

The Secret Few Know To Making Positive Changes Most Easily!

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horizons green path

“Yes, there is still a secret. This secret is the key to making positive, permanent, productive change. It is being revealed here so you can immediately apply it and have it work for you.  This secret is ancient and spans all of time. It is absolutely powerful.

Sadly, everyone, or most everyone is familiar with it. They have heard about it and know it. It is one of the most well known secrets there is. Sadder still, while it has been hidden in plain sight, revealed numerous times, most people miss it and don’t use it.

That is why it remains a secret. Not because it is hidden but because people don’t use it. Since they don’t use it they don’t understand or benefit from its incredible power. Perhaps, today will be different. Most likely not for most people, but it will be for a few.

Even An Open Book May Not Be Read Until Someone Reads It

For those few THEY are ready to transform and begin to have a life more wonderful and fulfilling. AS I have always said, ‘Exploration is the doorway to adventure. Awareness is the key’. Be willing to explore new possibilities and a new world will open up to you in amazing ways.

Awareness is the key. We have choices we may not realize, appreciate or utilize. One possibility is we react to situations out of habit. We react from pre-recorded programs we run day in and day out, where whatever happens triggers a conditioned reaction.

As when someone gives you the finger and you, without thinking, give them one back. These neural pathways are a well beaten down path. We react automatically. There is a cause and an immediate effect. It happens without awareness. Afterwards, we realize, perhaps, what we did.

Exploration Is The Doorway To Adventure

Then there is the other possibility, that from awareness we respond. We notice the instigation but it doesn’t grip or grab us. Instead, more like an observer, we watch without getting hooked and we choose how to behave or respond to the situation. There is a moment, or a gap, between the trigger and what happens next.

There is one practical method for creating that gap and that is to condition yourself for it. The other less productive reactive behaviors were conditioned without awareness simply by growing up. The new behaviors we deliberately intend to create. THAT is the difference.

One we ended up with reactions without realizing it. The new ones we intend to create, we take time to manufacture through practice and repetition. There are plenty of opportunities each day, each hour, to practice this.

Awareness IS The Key

At first when you begin applying this you will be late, most likely. Timing is everything. You will realize after the moment passes.  THAT is OKAY! That IS the first beginning steps. SO take it easy on yourself. Be gentle and be grateful you noticed whenever it is that you notice.

THIS is important to remember and realize. You decide, for example, to enjoy life more. You don’t want to get angry so much. DO not focus on the anger. That will only bring more energy to it and you will end up being angry more. INAPPROPRIATE anger is what you want to eliminate. It is appropriate to be angry in some situations. That may be the wisest response.

Focus on enjoying life more. Pour your energy into that. Then you will get more of that! Be positive and be happy. WHEN you discover that you are not, or that you got angry inappropriately, even moments after ‘the event’, congratulate yourself on recognizing you were angry.

YES! Congratulate yourself on recognizing you got angry. This is the beginning of awareness. It is simply late. As you continue along, life will afford you many opportunities to practice and build a new habit. Continue to recognize and appreciate your awareness.

Questions Direct Your Mind What To Look For And Find

You might ask Directed Questions™ like, ‘I wonder how delighted I will become to discover myself easily responding more positively to these situations…’ (whatever they are for you) or to whomever you want to respond more positively too.

OR ‘How delighted will I be to discover for myself that I have choices and that I am able to respond differently…’ OR ‘…that I am able to respond positively and productively?’ Send your mind on searches for what you want to have rather than what you don’t want.

Do you want to be more aware? Would you like to be more positive? Would you like more choice? Would you like to stay clam in trying situations? If so ask questions similar to the one’s above that direct you into having what you want. Put your brain on the search for you.

Throughout the day keep asking a few questions around the area of change you wish to develop. ASK!. These will greatly increase your ability to change and become more aware. That, after all, is the goal, to become more aware.

Be Gentle, Positive And Encouraging

Remember, to not get caught up and react. There is a great infographic out there that reads ‘ Every time you feel yourself getting pulled into other people’s nonsense, repeat these words. Not my circus. Not my monkeys.’

Whenever you FEEL yourself getting pulled into… other people’s or even your own trauma drama… remember to repeat, ‘Not my circus. Not my monkeys’. This is great because this is how we create awareness. We, first, must notice the pull.

Once we do, STOP!!! Take a deep breath! Maybe one or two more! THEN after the breathes engage a new behavior. REPEAT a new mantra, or affirmation, whatever it is. In this case it is a reminder ‘not my circus. not my monkeys’.

Whatever it is or whatever new behavior you want you instigate after the STOP – GAP. STOP first…. then Begin. Stop then Begin!

Come To A Complete 4 Wheel Stop And Then Proceed Differently

You feel the pull and you STOP! Completely stop! Pause. Take a breath or two. AND BEGIN The new behavior. Think a different thought inside or out. Do anything physically different from what you would have done previous to learning this.

Each time you successfully repeat this process you are on your way to building a new habit which includes awareness and choice! Soon enough it will be automatic and reliable. You will have transformed an unwanted into a wanted. You are moving forward!

Put your energy into what you want NOT what you do not want.

Remember, to be free you must pause and chose to respond differently. IF YOU DO get caught up that is okay, be gentle with yourself. Next time, maybe, you will remember. Or perhaps you will remember even sooner. You will catch yourself quicker.

You Stop And Then Move In A New Direction

Pat yourself on the back for whatever you did and for noticing it whenever you noticed it. Self criticism won’t help you change. It is part of the old behaviors and conditioning. SO while you are learning to change the anger, learn too how to end the negative self-talk! Get it? Be gentle and encouraging. Speak only to bless, heal and prosper.

If you can’t say something good about yourself, another person or the circumstances, do not say anything at all. Do not reinforce what you do not want? Do not give it your energy! DO YOU UNDERSTAND?

Only put the energy you have into the things you want. Make sure you are putting it into what you want! Many people think they are when they aren’t! So check and double check. Energy begets energy. You want to get back WHAT YOU WANT and not more of what you do not want. Is this clear? I hope so.

Speak Only To Bless, Heal And Prosper – Congratulate Yourself

I repeat: WHENEVER you do remember, give yourself a pat on the back for noticing and changing. Encourage the positive behaviors you want more of. Literally, ignore the behaviors you wish to eliminate. Do not put energy into the negative thoughts or behaviors or you end up getting more of the same. Focus and get back the positive!

So here it is. A huge wide open secret that most people never apply so they never get the changes or life they want to have. Sad, but if it is to be, it will be up to them. Just as it is up to you and me. No one can do this for us. We must each do it our self.

So what is it going to be? Will you dive in and begin transforming your life in powerful and positive ways or not? It is up to you. Whenever you make a positive decision to make a positive difference for yourself, celebrate and be grateful that you recognized an opportunity.

This is how we learn to recognize more and more opportunities as they present themselves. I hope you, decide today to, transform your life in wonderful ways that bring you more delight than you can even begin to imagine right now. Celebrate, enjoy and be glad! Today is a magnificent day!” Rex Sikes

Savor the positive wonderful moments you create!

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Horizons photo used with permission of Phil Koch.

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

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

Attitude, Focus, Habit Formation, Happiness, Personal Development, Positive Affirmations, Positive Thinking, Self Improvement, Self Talk

A Few Positive Sayings To Make Your Day!

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horizons lazy-days-phil-koch

“Today, I have gathered a few of my favorite sayings. I hope you enjoy these.  Most of these come from posters that were made to adorn our workshop walls. 

We become what we think about.

To know and not to do is to not know.

Action is the proper fruit of knowlege.

The more we do the more we can do.

A mind stretched to a new idea can never go back to it’s original dimension.

If you really want to do something you find a way; If you don’t you find an excuse.

You are where your thoughts take you.

The happiest people don’t necessarily have everything. They just make the best  of everything.

It is astonishing how short a time it takes for very wonderful things to happen.

Our self image and our habits go together. Change one and you automatically change the other.

The common denominator of success — the secret of success of every man who has ever been successful — lies in the fact that he formed the habit of doing things that failures don’t like to do.

Be willing to listen to things about which you already know.

Every life has its dark and cheerful hours. Your level of happiness comes from choosing which to remember.

Attitudes are contagious. Is yours worth catching?

Well, there you go. Some of my favorite quotes off the top of my head. None of them are mind but they are one’s I like and remember. I hope these stimualte your thinking, inspire you and help you celebrate your day!” Rex Sikes

Make your day delightful!

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Horizons photo used with permission of Phil Koch.

GETTING CLOSER TO THE NEW SITE LAUNCH  – Inching our way up on getting it up and running. The site will have a new look and feel. If you get this blog emailed to you,  You will be able to subscribe to the blog and my new newsletter. Stick with me. I’d hate for you to miss anything when it switches.

Subscribe and Follow Daily Inspiration and Gratitude! Leave comments. I love your comments and feedback. Thanks so much!