Tag Archives: Self Improvement

I Accepted The 24 Hour Manifestation Challenge And Won!!!

horizons i-lose-myself-phil-koch

“So I accepted a 24 hour manifestation challenge. What do you think happened? I was challenged to create or attract some blessings that would constitute a sign or signal that the universe was intelligent and benevolent.

The challenge hours were from 5pm Friday to 5pm Saturday. I had been working at home all day, both Friday night and Saturday day. Nothing happened. I stayed positive but nothing happened.

The clock ticked by, and the deadline got closer. I thought, maybe I would go to the mailbox and, perhaps, there would be a letter. It was after 4pm. Nope. Nothing there either. Clock was still ticking away.

Maybe The Sun Rises Just For You

So, I got curious what might, would, could, happen, in the next forty or fewer minutes.  Then about 4:45pm I returned home from the mail box and started cleaning up around the house.

I picked up some debris, trash items, kids throw in street or yard. I was outside, picking up a couple papers and soda cans. I sifted through a few items and found 100 dollars. In my yard. 100 very weathered dollars!

I will take that as a yes! Some will say coincidence. I am fine with that. Some will say we get what we expect and I am good with that. Some will say I am deluded. I am fine with that, AND, I’m 100 dollars better off. I will take that as a big yes.

Count Blessings Not Troubles

I set the expectation that something positive and unexpected would happen within 24 hours (as a challenge test) and within 15 minutes to the end point I made a discovery. I call it a good one or a blessing.

Some will say yeah, ‘that is what you call it’. I am fine with that too. What would you call my discovery? I call it fortuitous. I call it wonderful. I call it, maybe I’d have found it anyway, who cares? I am glad . I call it a yes!

Perhaps, I’d have made many more if I went out and about instead of working on computer both days. Perhaps. AND perhaps, I’d have discovered something on the computer too. Who knows?

Look For Blessings In All Situations

Still, I am grateful. I think I will take the challenge again just to see what else comes up unexpectedly that I might enjoy. Wouldn’t you? Wouldn’t you want to do it again and again?

Hmmmm, maybe I’ll do it everyday. What do you think? Are you a little bit envious or do you you celebrate my good fortune? It can be your good fortune too. If you haven’t been blessed like this and recognized it before, now is the time to start seeking.

Don’t you think? Actually, I do each day. AND each day I find things to be grateful for and celebrate. Still, it was odd and marvelous to be challenged. That in itself is a blessing!

There Is Always Something To Be Grateful For

Everyday there are countless blessings and good things to discover if we only look for them. This world is a pretty wonderful place! Look for all the good. Leave the bad news, and trauma drama alone. Look for and seek blessings and gifts to celebrate.

Remember, we get what we focus on. I was open to being blessed in any number of ways. I didn’t care how or in what way it would come. I was simply open to something, delightfully, good and unexpected happening within 24 hour time frame.

If we seek we shall find whatever we are seeking. Count your blessings and expect more! Be ready for a miracle. Plan for one. You are more likely to receive one if you are prepared to receive one. AND you can still be surprised!

Remember How Blessed You Are

I think everyday we should expect miracles and blessings, gifts and coincidences. It doesn’t matter what we call it. Perhaps, we should just do it and be grateful! Then keep doing it!  Delight and enjoy! Celebrate everything!” Rex Sikes

How will you delight in today?

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Horizons photo used with permission of Phil Koch.

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How You Can Make Things Easier On Yourself

horizon autumn bench come-home-phil-koch

“What do you suppose it means, you become what you think about most? How do you understand, what you focus on expands; or, what you focus on you get? Focus on negative or positive; it doesn’t matter, you get whatever you think about, you know that, right?

Do you think change is easy or hard? Transformation, can it happen quickly or slowly? Do you have a say in things or not?  Do you appreciate that you are the author of how things go? Do you agree only you determine the results and circumstances you get?

Yes, change can happen in an instant!

Will it? Who knows? It depends primarily on what your beliefs are about it. Think about that. We get what we focus on. We become what we think about. So if you think it takes hard work; you have to struggle; it is painful and a slow process, then it will be. Your Reticular Activating System will deliver you the proof.

‘If you think you can or you think you can’t you are right,’ said Ford. If you think change can happen suddenly; you can be blessed beyond belief in unexpected ways; good things always happen and things work out in the end, then that is the proof you get.  If you think it is difficult to change, then it will be. If you think it is be easy, it will be!

Yes, we have old habitual thinking, outdated, but still running on and on. Old habits die hard some say. It will be true if you believe it to be. Whether change happens fast or slow the larger question is how you go through the journey? Will you enjoy it or not?

Wouldn’t it be more desirable to have fun, expect the best, feel the best, anticipate wonderfulness each moment, than to fight and claw and inch your way forward. Yes, there are those who prefer to fight and claw but  wouldn’t you like it that way much better? Well?

There are those that, no matter what is said here, will fall back into habitual patterns of thinking. Then, there are those for whom the lightbulb will turn on, who realize ‘I determine how I travel. I call the shots. I am in charge. I am not a victim I am a victor, a champion and I will decide how much fun I will have.’ And then they do.

‘If it is to be it is up to me,’ is another important saying. Everything is always up to you. You determine how you respond or you can remain one who only reacts to what happens to and around them. Which do you want to be? If you want to be in charge, the master of your fate and the captain of your soul, you can be.

Whether change occurs for you in an instant or not will you have a marvelous time? You decide if you will delight or not. If you determine to see it through,  come what may, regardless of how long it takes, then you are on the right path. You will persist when and if you must. You can also relax be open and be ready to receive a miracle.

Your mindset, your attitude, your beliefs determine how you live and walk in the world. These determine what you discover and what you see. Your thoughts are the framework from which you live and learn. This is why it is said, we become what we think about most. We become and we get what we think about most.

Do you need new and better serving thoughts? Yes, we all do. Then get them. Change the old ones. Don’t whine and complain, instead act. Then and only then will you discover how easy it may be to change them. It may seem tougher at first, that is true, BUT if you work at it things will get easier and quicker.

All is good and you will discover an incredible world for yourself, if you haven’t already. You will find out how remarkable and amazing you truly are. Anything and everything can be yours. Dream big and then create it. There is no need to suffer or lack anything.

It is all up to you and what you think about it. Change fast or slow, easy or hard? That is for you to decide. Oh, wait, you already have. Long ago. If that decision does not serve you well today, change it. Only you can. No one can change you for you, but you! You decide how it is going to be. C’mon, live as an emperor, cuz you deserve it!” Rex Sikes

What if you could do half a dozen pleasant things for yourself and others today!

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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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What To Do When Life Is Tough And You Don’t Like It!

fhorizons cloudy barn

“Know this. Some days you are up and on top of the world. Some days you aren’t. Sometimes, things may come along and knock the wind out of your sails. Some days may just seem to drag. Some suck! All of it is what is. That is what is going on.

If you fight it, well you know the saying; what you resist persists, and it is true. If you push back you spend your energy in a fight. Then you get more of what you are focused on; push back. You get more resistance. If you don’t want more of the same yuckiness, what to do?

I say, throw your arms up and surrender. It is what it is! That is what the waitress brought you. Yuckiness on your dinner plate. You can get sad, you can get mad, you can fight her, it, and the establishment, you can threaten, you can blame, you can whine but that is what was served up. Do you really want to do all the rest of that to yourself?

What You Resist Persists

Hopefully not. So don’t! Understand that is what you got and let it go. Drop it, at least as best as you are able. Any time you are tempted to return to it think something else. FOR GOODNESS SAKE don’t talk about it to everyone all day long either. You only keep the bad news alive that much longer. Don’t perpetuate it!

It was what it was. Let it go. It is already in the past an instant later. You were served what you didn’t want. OKAY! Be bigger than it. Don’t reduce yourself to that person in public griping that no one likes. ORDER something else for yourself! You didn’t get what you want, you got slop instead of savory, ORDER something else!

Whenever you may realize you got caught up, got hooked and are fighting the flow, resisting what is, in that instance, drop it. Let it go and focus on what you would prefer instead of what is causing discomfort. To argue over what causes discomfort will only make you more uncomfortable.

You Go Where Your Thought Take You

If you feel you have to be right, put another person in their place, teach them a lesson, well, most likely you won’t and they will only resent you more afterwards. None of us like self-righteousness, even when it may be appropriate. SO give them and the world and you a break.

Cut everyone and yourself some slack. Ease off. Back up, stop, and move forward new and afresh. Going down the wrong road further won’t undo the mistake already made. Stop, turn around, change direction and head towards where you want to go. Heck, laugh it off.

Probably, the best response you can have when you catch yourself being an idiot is to laugh. Not at yourself or anyone else; you wouldn’t want to do that. Let it go and just laugh  at how ridiculous it is to fight what is. There is the saying, no use beating a dead horse. Sorry for that but it is illustrative.

It Is What It Is

Okay, better one, no use crying over spilt milk. OR it is water over the damn. What is IS! What is done is done! Move on from that moment cleanly. The only way to successfully do that is to drop it. Accept it and go on. My favorite analogy and teaching example of going with the flow in our modern age, is traffic.

The zen of not driving or not caring is learned in traffic. You can’t push it but you can try. When stuck and surrounded there is no where to go, so relax you can’t change it until it changes. LET IT GO. That person that cut you off they are already ahead of you leave them be. That person who gave you the finger, bless them; returning it my make you feel right but won’t make you feel much better.

Yes, traffic is the perfect place to let it all go and learn to surrender to what is. Use it to enjoy. Yes, you will be late, but that is what is. You may be reprimanded, docked or fired. Leave earlier next time. It is what it is. Use whatever happens to learn to not react out of anger, or fight or flight, but to let go, accept and respond more appropriately.

Realize You Always Have Choice Even When You Think You Don’t

Celebrate and be grateful you are able to. Celebrate and affirm how wonderful you are. You have all this extra time for yourself to chant your positive mantras in the car or listen to positive motivational audios. Use it wisely rather than loosing your cool. Steer back to positive thinking and feeling good and you will have learned something useful.

If you steer back each time, as best as possible, you are developing a positive habit. Whenever you encounter something less than glorious, something you don’t like and wouldn’t choose for yourself, you are returning to what is good, positive and enjoyable.

You seek a better alternative. Soon you will do it automatically, reliably and habitually. What a wonderful tradeoff. You learned to make your life more grand by default. SO use your not so good times to create better times ahead. Be grateful you can. Celebrate it all and you will live a life of true, absolute celebration!” Rex Sikes

How many delightful things can you discover today!

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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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Yes! Everything Can Be Different And Better In An Instant!

horizons opening sunrise white

“We can change in seconds. Transformation is instantaneous! We can have miracles anytime! The problem is most of us don’t believe it. Do you? Does your being resound with YES!!! OR do you go, ‘yeah, I wish…’ We have been discussing beliefs lately and I’d like to continue. The reason we don’t change rapidly is we don’t believe we can.

According to ancient and modern texts change, enlightenment, transformation, miracles can and do all happen quickly. We do not have to struggle along or incrementally make changes day after day week after week. Change can be right now! Still, most of us don’t think so. That is precisely why it doesn’t happen that way.

If You Think You Can Or You Think You Can’t You Are Right

When we think about changing or our lives and what we want many of us think, ‘you have to work hard, climb the success ladder, be lucky, know someone, and even then nothing is for certain’. When it comes to change we think, ‘well, maybe for someone else, doesn’t work that way for me, it is too hard, too costly,’ or any number of reasons.

When we consider change and transformation our paradigms kick in; our collection of beliefs and attitudes, our unconscious, subconscious, habitual thinking we grew up with, and mostly adopted from others, kicks in. That is what it is supposed to do. Remember, the Reticular Activating System.

The RAS looks for proof in the world for whatever you believe or hold in your mind. If you think it is tough and not likely, well then your RAS will prove you right. Therein is the rub. Most of us don’t think fast, instant change or manifestation is possible, we believe a myriad of other things, so we don’t get to experience it.

‘Oh My, How The World Still Dearly Loves A Cage.’ Tess Lynch

Napoleon Hill said you could develop faith and come to believe anything if you repeated it to yourself enough times while feeling strong emotion. This is the process of autosuggestion and it is an ongoing process. One of the reasons we already get the results and circumstances we live with. It works for the negative or the positive.

If we were to imagine change as fast, see ourselves quickly transformed, repeat emotionally charged affirmations that change is quick, easy and fun, we could begin to discover a new world opening up.

If we have as mantras that we are open to instantaneous transformation and manifestation and that anything can happen, anytime, easily and without effort, perhaps, we would come to believe that.

It has been said, a lie repeated often enough gets substituted for the truth. So we need to change our beliefs. STOP! Right there. SOme of you readers, some people instantly think that will be difficult. AND so it is. For those who think it will be fun and easy SO IT IS.

‘For As He Thinketh In His Heart So Is He’ Proverbs 23:7

The key is to decide what you want for yourself and for your world and to assert and declare it. Deliberately create it. Deliberately create your life and experience don’t allow it to be haphazard.

Own it. Command it! Make it so! YES, your old conditioning might do anything and everything to prevent you from changing. The thought gurus will tell you that. They will say, ‘you need to work hard to get at that deep unconscious programming that holds you back.’ Thy’ll tell you they have the secret why The Secret doesn’t work.

Maybe yes, maybe no. Maybe, it is all up to you and what you THINK about it. What you believe will be the case is what you will get. Maybe, change is easy, fun, effortless and quick. I suggest you decide. CHOOSE! Then maintain it. Yes, you might encounter opposition but don’t let that derail or deter you. You determine how you want it to be.

You Are Where Your Thoughts Brought You

BE a deliberate creator and determine what the circumstances will be instead of being a victim of circumstances and whining and making excuses.  You don’t have to live from old conditioning. You can completely transform. BUT maybe only if you believe it is possible. Maybe, even if you don’t believe it is. Hmmmmm?

You have to open the window of possibility even just a bit. A crack. Consider this, water run through a small opening, as in a small tube, increases the pressure and what can be accomplished. Water run through a small opening can cut steel. You might be amazed at how life transforms when you open up to the tiny possibility that it can.

We’ll discuss this some more in upcoming posts. For now, see if you can’t find ways, inside you, to delight in how marvelously easy it is to entertain positive thoughts of gratitude. Celebrate and delight in everything. Take it all lightly, have fun and enjoy! Live and love and laugh!” Rex Sikes

Be glad today!

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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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How To Become A Winner And Champion!

horizons water and golden sun

“How does one become a winner and a champion? What does it mean to live as an emperor? What is it like to be a victor? What do these people do differently than the rest of us? Are they different or special? Were they born this way? Can we learn to do what they do?

Yes, we can! That is the good news. The champion, the winner, the emperor, the victor determine and dictate the circumstances. They make the world conform to their idea. They begin with an image in their mind of what they want. They hold it, emotionalize it and bring it into being. They create the results they passionately desire.

They determine the outcome in advance. They use their mental faculties and mental powers and resources to create the life they want to live. They don’t make excuses, they don’t blame, they don’t rely on anyone else. They decide and they make it happen.

They focus each day, they affirm, they develop habits that support them. The learn how to concentrate and focus their attention and put their energy only on the good they desire. They think positive, feel positive and know that what they hold in their mind will be a reality. They know they will manifest what they want or better!

Without a doubt they bring it about. Doubt, fear and anxiety know no place in their being. Whenever they feel less than glorious they switch their focus and move back toward the glorious. They know that whatever you can conceive and believe you can achieve. So that is what they do.

They know that what you think about is what you become so they only think about the good they want to make happen. They focus on all the good they want to attract. The look for and find opportunity and advantage.

They know how to attract and work with other like minded people to create and manifest their burning desires. Just as positive thoughts flock together and create exponential power so do people. Together they make their dreams their reality. They create it!

Obstacles and challenges contain lessons from which they learn. Their mindset is strong as steel. Their faith unwavering and steady. Their commitment and persistence and spirit indomitable. The never quit but persist until what they hold in their mind is the reality they live.

They call the shots. They determine how the world will conform to them. Were they born this way? Absolutely not! They became this way through dedicated work on oneself. They focused their attention, gained control of their thoughts, their feelings and their actions and made these work for them.

They conditioned themselves by proper practice and spaced repetition. The visualized, they affirmed, they chanted their mantras. The developed belief in themselves and their abilities. They learned how to tap into their intuition and awareness. Everything they have they learned and developed.

The sowed the seeds, nurtured them and in time reaped the harvest. Having learned how they do it once, they did it again and again. Each win, each success building on each other. They transformed themselves into CAN Do people. The fashioned themselves into unstoppable deliberate creators.

The good news. It is not just them that can do this. Many are from poor backgrounds. Many uneducated. Some downright dumb. But they worked and transformed themselves. They made no excuses.

Not one of them is special or born into it. They are the same as you and I with one difference. They decided to do it for themselves. They made a decision and followed through. I bet there were many who dropped out along the way.

If any ONE can do it so can the rest of us. If anyone can do it so can you. Drop the excuses. Stop the whining and the complaining. Decide to take responsibility for yourself. Decide to become invincible. Live fully and live the life you want. Stop being a victim and become a victor! YOU CAN DO THIS! NOW IS THE TIME!” Rex Sikes

Delight all along the way!

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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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What Excuses Do You Keep Using?

horizon fall day

“Are you busy? Do you sometimes get caught up? Do you have difficulty making ends meet? Is life not everything you hope it would be? If you are like most people then, yep, you struggle. You experience is not the worst but not the best either. Things are okay but could definitely be better.

Many people want to improve their lot. They don’t for many reasons. They don’t think they know how and they feel they must prior to making that move. They think it might be too difficult. Others feel they don’t have time. Some feel they would have to give up too much to get something better. I have never quite understood that one.

Whatever the reason, whatever your reason, I suggest you put off your putting off. That is right procrastinate your procrastination. Stop waiting and start doing. The time is now. The journey begins right where you are. You move in whatever direction your feet are pointing.

There is never a right time. The time is always now. There is never a moment when things will be together enough to start getting things together in your life. The moment is now amidst chaos and confusion. Nothing is going to end and then start anew moments later. It is always just do it now. Start from where you are.

The journey of a 1000 miles begins with a single step, the saying goes. Take the step and then another. That is all you have to do. Initiate the very first one and then continue one step at time. You may be surprised. You may walk a while or you may instantly transform. Change happens the moment you decide.

Once you make the decision everything can be different. It may not occur that way but it can. Your journey is up to you. What adventure you have is pretty much up to what you allow. What you see is what you are open to seeing. If you never start you will never ever know. You must take that first step towards. Decide where you want to go.

Don’t wait. Those that wait do only one thing. They wait. Get going. Decide what you want and make it a point to have it. Decide where you want to go and make it a point to get there. Take as much time as you need but don’t stop. Keep going and you will get there. Along the way enjoy it. Celebrate and be glad you are moving! Delight!” Rex Sikes

Today is just for you!

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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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I Love It When This Happens – Let Nothing Stop You!

horizons light house

“Synchronicity. Is there such a thing? Perhaps, that is a term used by those whose think all events aren’t somehow related. It would seem inside a closed universe that everything is connected. We just may not yet, be able to see how. So, sometimes, we get a glimpse or a treat.

Even if one maintains it is all chaos that is essentially saying the same thing in a sort of dyslexic, reverse, fashion. If everything is unordered there is order in that. I jest, in some ways, posing paradox like, can god make a rock so big god can’t lift it?

Two  posts ago, the other morning, I posted about people who kept going and had great attitude and lives in spite of losing body parts or the ability to move. Some people have an attitude of ‘life is good’ regardless of what happens. There is so much beauty in this.

Coincidence Or Connection

I was going past a book shelf looking for something and inadvertently knocked a book out. It fell open on the floor. Of course, it would be Canfield and Hansen’s, ‘Chicken Soup For The Soul’. It fell open on the floor. Picking it up and turning it over at the place it had opened, the chapter title was ‘Yes, You Can’.

After the subheading quote by Aldous Huxley, ‘Experience is not what happens to a man. It is what a man does with what happens to him’ : the first paragraph begins this way:

‘What if at 46 you burned beyond recognition in a terrible motorcycle accident, and then four years later, paralyzed from the waste down in an airplane crash?’ Coincidence? I think not.

What Would You Do?

A horrific question to consider for certain. I had just published my blog about how people see it through tough times. The paragraph continues:

‘Then, can you imagine yourself becoming a millionaire, a respected public speaker, a happy newlywed, and a successful business person? Can you see yourself going white water rafting? Sky diving? Running for political office?’ Then, ‘W Mitchell has done all these things and more…’

WOW, right! W. Mitchell is another example of someone who does not let what happened to him put him down and out or define him. Rather than letting circumstances define him he defines the circumstances! His story, is a powerful testament to the power of attitude and human will.

I think Canfield and Hansen too, put a little magic into the chapter they wrote when they asked ‘Can you imagine yourself becoming…’ because that is truly what it takes. The power of our imagination. If you can imagine it you can become it. You become what you think about.

What You Think About You Bring About

Napoleon Hill stated, much earlier, ‘If you can conceive it and believe it, you can achieve it’. Those who do this have the power and ability to move forward no matter what. In the face of the most difficult circumstances they determine how things will be. They do not let the circumstances define them.

Those of us, some of whom may have suffered tremendous hardship, can use examples like W. Mitchell to inspire and motivate us. Others of us, who have had it comparatively easier by far, should stop with the excuses.

The message is clear. We can do anything we put our mind and heart into. We can go beyond anything we thought was possible and soar to greater heights. If we can dream it we can do it.

We can stop letting the world tell us who we are, what we can do and what we can have and we can start telling the world how it will be instead! We can live as victors and champions. We can win and live as winners. We decide! You and I determine, we chose, how we will live.

UNLESS, You Let Someone Else Dictate That

Who is in charge? Are you or are you going to let the world; the government; the economy; the difficulties; get the better of you? OR do you decide to get the better of them and make you and your life what you want it to be? Who is in charge of your life?

If people like W. Mitchell can triumph in spite of terrific loss, that would stop most people dead in their tracks, we should be able to do at least as much. If it is possible for one human it is possible for all humans. NEVER let a thought stop you from the positive good that can be yours!

See it in your mind! Claim it! Make it yours! Own it and transform your life. There are no accidents. There are only incidents that we can’t yet see how they are connected or what their purpose is. We can however, trust that ultimate good can come no matter what!

What You See Is What You Get

Celebrate and live life fully! Choose to make it wonderful! Is the universe orderly? It is if you say it is! You determine how you go through life and whether or not it is a wonderful and friendly world.

Our beliefs determine what we see and what we find. So if you have to think and believe anything about yourself and the world; you might as well believe the very best! As for me, I’m glad that book fell open.” Rex SIkes

Make your day wonderful!

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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!

What To Do When Unexpected Challenges Arise And You Feel Fear

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.

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

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!

How To Have The Energy You Want And Need Anytime!

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!