"Perceptions are just that, perceptions."

Gain Greater Inner Control

by Jane Powell on December 22, 2009

“Perceptions are just that, perceptions.”

Your perceptions of the way things are reflect the way you were raised, your experiences and the successes or failures you’ve had in life. It’s tough, but everyone must recognize that things are what they are, regardless of perceptions. In other words, accepting things as they are and not as you wish them to be, makes getting through tough times easier.

So, be open to adjusting your perceptions. Check-in with yourself to see if these perspectives are working for you. As you do, you gain greater inner control and this smoothes out the rocky road of life!

©Jane Powell – Meditations for Women

** Let it Flow **

You may be under a lot of stress, but it doesn't help to get angry about it. Things may not be going the way you planned, but it doesn't help to be resentful about it. What does help is to keep yourself connected with the best that is within you. What does help is to remind yourself often of the positive path that you've chosen to be on.

Sure, the day-to-day events will not all go the way you planned. You may have long, difficult periods in which nothing goes your way.

And yet, you have the good fortune of being in complete control of your thoughts and your attitude. As such, you can choose an attitude that will always pull real, lasting value out of even the most difficult circumstances.

Imagine being at peace with yourself and with the world around you. Imagine how very much more effective you would be if you simply let life flow without letting it get to you.

And know that in this moment, in every moment, however complicated or contentious or stressful it may be, that is a choice you can make. Choose to let life flow, and you'll choose to be in positive, peaceful control.

**What it takes to Achieve your Goal**

“Setting meaningful goals takes courage.”

Setting a goal can be a huge challenge. Setting goals can even be intimidating, no less following through with one. When you set goals you are taking responsibility for the outcome. What’s easy about that?

Instead of being fearful or intimidated, praise yourself for your willingness to accept the risk. Growth requires you to venture outside your comfort zone. Be willing to take on the unknown and be courageous when you face it.

Set a goal today that challenges your usual way of thinking. As you exercise your courage through goal setting, prosperity will naturally follow.

Today’s Affirmation: My goals challenge me to step outside my comfort zone.

©Meditations for Women

Live Life with Few Regrets

“Change is necessary to live a life with few regrets.”

You only live once. And, it doesn’t hurt to think of this, from time to time. The worst thing would be to look back on your life, wishing you could have been happier or done more.

Don’t let that happen! Now is the time to take a good look at your life and make changes so that you have no regrets.

We all know time flies. Days, weeks, months, and years slip away. Don’t let them pass you by. Make the necessary changes that bring happy, joyful memories, so you can look back with no regrets.

©Meditations for Women

Quote by Robin Sharma

I saw this quote and thought it was great.  Not only is it true, but it goes right along with my life over the last few weeks! 

"Leaders are those who see into the future while others are stuck in the past." ~Robin Sharma

There is nothing like "making a decision" and MOVING forward into "that" future he is speaking about!

** Your Mind **

Your Mind

What do you think about your current situation? What do you think about the possibilities that are available to you at this moment? What you think has a direct and undeniable connection to what you do. So it pays to keep your mind focused on the highest and the best. Where your mind is right now is where your life will soon be. The thousands of thoughts that you think each day provide the stage upon which you perform. The outer performance is driven by the inner thoughts. Thoughts of confidence, effectiveness, strength and positive achievement will lead to truly great performances. Consider all the things you say to yourself as every day goes along. Each one is an opportunity for you to direct your mind in precisely the way you choose. Use all your thoughts, the little ones, the big ones, and all the rest, to put your mind in a positive, empowering place. Enjoy the journey as your great thoughts lead you surely and steadily to greatness.

**The Rush**

I came across this in my email this morning and thought was great and wanted to share!

The Rush

Life has its own certain rhythm and pace. When you attempt to outrun it, you miss it. Making life faster does nothing to make it better. Today is plenty and right now is always enough. Tomorrow will come in good time, and there's nothing to be gained by rushing to get to it ahead of time. Instead, live fully the depth and richness of this day, of this moment. Take each opportunity as it comes to enjoy and fulfill the beauty of what is. There is something wondrous and valuable in every direction you look. It makes no sense to put all your energy into jumping ahead of yourself. For life's treasures are all here in this moment right now. Choose to live your life at the pace that it comes to you. And its many treasures will surely be yours.

8 years ago......Remembering 9/11

Today is a day we shall never forget.  My 8 1/2 year old son was just shy of being 6 months old on this tragic day eight years ago.  I remember being at home with him and turning on the tv and I absolutely could not believe what I was seeing.  My brother, his wife and their baby boy were living with me at the time and I remember running downstairs to wake him up and tell him what was happening. 

As we were sitting there is shock, there were many thoughts running through my mind.  One of those thoughts was "how could I have brought a child into this world"  "what did I do"  I just couldn't believe what was happening and thought this was the first of much more destruction.  One of my other very vivid thoughts was looking at my brother and realizing, just 3 days before he had resigned his contract with the Marines.

My prayers and thoughts go out to the victims of 9/11 as well as the families, the firefighters, the police officers, and everyone that was personally effected this tragic day.  I am thankful for our troops and my heart goes out to them all for fighting for our freedom.

Never Give up on a Dream

I had this in my email this morning and loved it!  Thought I would share!

Patience and persistence make dreams come true.

It's easy to get frustrated and impatient while working hard to achieve dreams that still seem far away.  When you get that inkling to give up, remember this old saying.

"Winners never quit and quitters never win!"

The positive energy you create paves the way for your dreams to come true.  Just when you think you've exhausted all possibilities, you'll find another way, a better way - and, more importantly, another day to live your dreams.

Meditations for Women

**Choose**

Choose

Give yourself a gift today. Give yourself a challenge. Challenge yourself to accomplish something new, something of your own choosing, before the day is done. It could be something you create, or learn, or improve, or a problem that you solve. Make it something that's far enough out of reach to stretch you. Make it something that's close enough to your heart to push you and inspire you. Decide that you will do something with this day that will distinguish it from all the others. Choose to make this a day that you'll always look back upon with satisfaction and gratitude for having accomplished something of lasting value. Then get busy and make it happen. Work your way through the challenge that you've so thoughtfully provided for yourself. When you reach the goal, pause for a moment and fully experience how fulfilled, empowered, effective and purposeful it feels. Then smile to yourself with the satisfaction of knowing that you can choose to accomplish again tomorrow, and the next day, and the next.

**Great Quote**

" Success or failure in life depends on the quality of your thoughts. Master the art of thought and your dreams will become your reality."  Written in 2009 by Hooman Hamzehloui --- Florida

I love this Quote!

"The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not the lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will." ...Vince Lombardi