Creating the Life of YOUR DREAMS

Creating the life of your dreams begins with a consistent thought born out of your heart's desire. That desire and thought leads successful people to create a vision of what they want to be, do or have in their life. What I discovered long ago was that the happiest or most successful people didn't get there by accident. They got there because of their vision. And for a great number of those successful their vision was always visible in the form of Vision or Dream boards.

For years people have created these dream or vision boards using images from magazines or their own picture albums. They've then taken these pictures and posted them on corkboards or posterboards like the one above, with inspirational quotes, to celebrate milestones in their life or remind themselves of things they wanted to have, be or do in their lives.

I first began using vision boards over 20 years ago when I was diagnosed with cancer. My sponsor suggested I make a list of 10 things I wanted to have, be or do... in other words, things I wanted to live for. Well, I thought 10 was too short a list for what I was about to go through so I created a list of 30 things I wanted to experience before I kicked the bucket. Then after my first round of chemo I saw a woman with a small baby book album with pictures of her children to remind herself why she had chosen to go through chemotherapy. So since I didn't have children I decided to put pictures of my wonderful loving friends and a few images of places I wanted to visit and a few images of what I still wanted to experience in life, such as teaching my first academic lit class and my first poetry class.

Well, since then I've written more lists than I can remember and lived a life most people only think about in their dreams. The difference between those that daydream and those that dream or envision their future is that the those that envision have statistically a higher percentage of actualizing or achieving their dreams.

So... What is it that you want to have or experience in your life? What kind of pictures or images inspire your dreams? What key words make you smile and inspire you to move forward? Well, if you compile these and create a visual reminder of your hopes and your vision for your life, you too will have the opportunity to turn your dreams into reality.

Now, if you find that negative thoughts creeping in, I suggest you read this wonderful article by Cheryl Richardson: How Are Your Beliefs Shaping Your Life? before you even begin creating a vision board.

2012 Vision Board - Steps 1

I've been sharing with friends and home group members for the past week about how excited I am about working on my vision board. I realized a few weeks ago that I fulfilled over 80% of my wishes posted on my old board. My son has been able to experience or achieve over 95% of what was on his dream board. For children its easier because they have less fear and baggage to hold them back.

Anyway, some of my home group members have been hounding me to do a workshop on this for some time now or to help them with their boards. I decided that instead of a workshop I agreed to post the stuff here for them to see how I do it so they can follow along and ask questions. Since I'm in the middle of creating my new vision board, I think its a perfect opportunity for my friends to follow along. Please note, I've disabled comments, so if you have questions just call, text or email me. I'll share them here anonymously so that we can all benefit.

Let's begin by exploring some new & wonderful dreams by my revisiting the things I wanted to pursue for the near future on my old vision board. For me its to visit Yosemite Falls in the spring and hike up to the peak and campout there overnight. This has been on my vision board for the past 2 years and the only thing that has stopped me till now has been fear - I've never camped under the stars. And even though I climbed onto the roof plenty of times as a kid and slept there in my pajamas, doesn't mean I know a thing about camping.

So as I stared at my vision board this past christmas morning I said quietly to myself... Its Yosemite Falls in April 2013!!!

Step 1: Decide what goal, experience or area of your life you want to focus on. Next, envision the energy/feelings you want to experience when you attain the goal or have the experience. Using the example above I will show you below what's on my list in my Travel area. Now you may not have a travel area, so of course you can do that with visiting family or dear friend. You can be this general or as specific as your little heart desires. Here's some of the sections or categories I have on my vision board:

Home/Work Environment: Harmony, Peace, Beauty, & Joy
Creativity: Divinely inspired & inspired, Expressive, Reflective, Thought-provoking
Relationships: Loving, vibrant, supportive, fulfilling, harmonious & happy!
Health: vibrant, energetic,
Travel: inspired, connect 2God through nature, experience peace & harmony!
Service: For my family, NA and my community
Connection to the Divine/God: Love-centered
Connection to self: Love-filled, inspired

Ok, now its your turn. The one must that I can't stress enough is that you remain hopeful or positive through this process. Sit in a quiet place with a piece of paper and think about what you would like to experience over the next few years. Don't over think it, just let your heart lead the way! :)

2012 Vision Board - Step 2

Step 2: Find the visual inspiration to keep you focused.
The most essential part of creating a vision board and the part that takes the longest is finding the images that will inspire you even on the funkiest day. Pick images that move and inspire you as you will be looking at them often. I decided to start with the part that brings me the most joy - Travel.

For me the first time I saw pictures of Yosemite Falls I said to myself: "Oh how beautiful, you can feel God present even through the picture! I want to go there!" Well, this year I'm going to take the steps to have it become a reality!

Now, I also love going to the beach, but sometimes, my son's activities, my job, my friends requests can sometimes distract me from what I love to do. Since I'm working on my travel section I included the picture of a beach I visited this past year to remind me to go visit God there.

I try to have a focusing or motivating statement foremost in my mind as I try to find pictures or as I work on creating a collage for this section on the vision board. For my travel section its: "I love to surround myself with natural beauty and connect to God." Or "I enjoy connecting to God through his natural beauty".

2012 Vision Board - Step 2 continued

To Continue with Step 2 I got bombarded by questions when I went to the meeting tonight. When I tried leaving early to catch my bus home I was stopped by a posse of women who wanted, NAY, demanded (you know who you are too) I cover the area of relationships next. So, before I get tarred and feathered... next I'll work on the area of relationships. As I said in the previous post, you should find images that evoke the feelings you want to experience with your loved ones. I love and enjoy family time so much that after holiday vacations are over my son and I share how much we missed each other on the first day back at work and school.

Patricia, a friend whose been nudging (read as harassing) me to help her find a boyfriend through this process, said she wasn't clear on how to do this step. So I suggested she close her eyes and imagine what kinds of feelings she thinks about when she thinks of being wooed by her ideal man. I asked her to focus on the kind of love she wants to experience. Her reply: RED HOT PASSION... Well, that definitely raised an eyebrow. Its always the shy ones... lol!

I then suggested she find a picture that evokes the same response or feelings of the RED HOT PASSION she's looking for. After looking through what she said were hundreds of images on google with those key words and getting tired of looking at scantily clad women, I suggested she think of a movie where she said to herself that's the kind of passion she wants to experience. Well, after googling images for those movies she came up with the 2 images below.

Next I suggested to Patricia that she consider creating positive statements that she feels comfortable and good about saying on a daily basis in relation to these pictures. Once again she struggled thinking it had to be perfect the first time she put pen to paper. Here I explained that my affirmations have evolved over time to something that is easy for me to meditate on. I simply suggested she practice the KISS principle with this: Keep It Simple Sweetie!

She came up with 2 statements: "I love to experience passion" and "I am open to experience intense passionate love in my life."

Okay I said to her I'm really glad you're getting how this work. And just before our conversation ended, I asked her is that the only kind of love you wish to experience? How about a love that is deep and abiding and lasts through the ages? Or how about a deep friendship that into a deep richer love that you've never known before? Experiencing RED HOT PASSION can be a challenge in a relationship because that might be hard to sustain over a longer period of time.

So, the moral of this post is: think carefully about what you want to invite and create in your life and why. Think long about that why and what if you get lots of it... is that something you would really want? Her RED HOT PASSION reminds me of the fable of the King Midas - who had the golden touch where everything he touched, including his wife turned to gold.
Okay go an Create.

Well a short while ago she emailed me and shared with me that she came up with a more positive more balanced statement: "I am open to experience a deep love that is able to experience the heights of passion and loving friendship."

Now that is Excellent! Ok guys, email me your pics and your positive statements or affirmations and don't forget to have fun while you're working!

Some Vision Board Examples for Men

Here's a few examples of vision/wish boards created by guys as inspiration for Guys. Two of these are from homegroup members that gave it a go. In the process they kept things simple, tasteful and to the point, which surprised even me. I have actually became inspired to keep mine simple. Well, here goes.

Some Vision Board Examples for Women

Here's a few examples of vision/wish/dream boards created by women. Notice how similar the last picture of the men's example is similar to the first example of the women's. There's a reason for that; they are a couple. Also, its their sixth year doing this so by now they have a system that is very similar to mine. I have affirmations, gratitude and goal statements in mine as well. In fact, that's part of step 3 and 4. But as you can see a few people went ahead, which is fine. What I suggest you do if you've gone ahead is keep what you have and go out and get either a larger poster board OR a science fair project board. I use the latter because if any one comes to visit I can discretely close it and tuck it away behind my armoire and I can take it out when they leave without anything happening to my vision board. Steps 3 and 4 will be up in a few days, so for now, keep searching for a few images that make you smile and feel happy.

Powerful Words - Power behind the pictures

Here are a few affirmations I created during a meditation on love after receiving a call from a friend that was a sad over the experience of unrequited love:
All my relationships are harmonious, long lasting and loving.
Yes! I am fulfilled.
I am open to receive love.
I love and appreciate myself.
I feel connected to the power of love in my life.
I enjoy experiencing love with total self-appreciation.
I let my love activate every part of my being.
I let my heart be touched by love.
I let the magic of love flow through me.
I awaken each morning to the feeling of love within my heart.
I am open and available to experience love and passion.
Love comes to me easily.
I feel the movement of love throughout my life.
Yes, I am loved!

I googled “love affirmations” and found some wonderful affirmations which I’ve posted below.

• I accept my inner beauty and feel it radiate from me
• Today I choose to be sexy, romantic, charismatic and charming!
• My heart is always open and I radiate love.
• I see everything with loving eyes and I love everything I see.
• My partner is the love of my life and the center of my universe. He loves me as much as I love him.
• In life I always get what I give out and I always give out love.
• I encounter love in all my relationships and I love these encounters.
• I deserve love and I get it in abundance.
• I have attracted the most loving person in my life and life is now full of joy.
• I love myself and everybody else and in return everybody loves me.
• Everywhere I go, I find love. Life is joyous.
• My partner and I are perfect match for each other and the love between us is divine.
• "Every Day In Every Way I Am Getting Better And Better".
• I am grateful to life for all that I have received till now and for all that I will be receiving in the future.
• I am Successful, Rich, Healthy and Happy.
• I feel good about myself and about everybody around me.
• All is well. Everything that is happening is only for my highest.
• The past is gone. I live only in the present.
• I love and accept myself unconditionally.
• I am a loving, forgiving, gentle and kind person.
• I welcome change and adapt myself to change.

Abundance & Prosperity Affirmations
• Every day in every way I am becoming more and more prosperous.
• I was prosperous, am prosperous and will always be prosperous.
• I always have whatever I need. The Universe takes good care of me.
• My life is full of love and joy and all the material things that I need.
• I allow all good things to come into my life and I enjoy them.
• I create prosperity easily and effortlessly.
• I love abundance and prosperity and I attract it naturally.
• The whole Universe and entire mankind is conspiring to make me prosperous and abundant.
• Abundance and prosperity is my birthright and I have it.
• I let go of all resistance to prosperity and it comes to me naturally.
• I am in a state of fulfillment, have abundant love and joy in my life and am free to do whatever I wish to do.
• My job/business is a love affair and I attract whatever I need through it.
• Prosperity within me, prosperity around me; abundance within me, abundance around me.
• I am prosperous, healthy, happy and live in abundance.
• I am thankful for the abundance and prosperity in my life.

________________________________________

• "I always give my best. As a result, I always attract the best".
~ Submitted by Sheryl
________________________________________

By _________ (put your desired date) I choose to earn _______ $ monthly by doing work that I love.
~ Submitted by Tom

Mission/Vision Statement

My Mission Statement:

Live Happily

Love Passionately

Dream Endlessly

Create Harmonically

Share Lovingly

& Respect Greatly

Mission statement – defines who we are and what we do including what we are dedicated to in our lives on various levels. Whatever our mission is… its what we ensure we dedicate resources (time and attention) as well as make a financial priority to those commitments.

A vision statement is a vision of what we want to be or have or do in the future. A vision statement is meant to inspire us and get us excited and thrilled about our future… where you decide to dedicate your time to or make a commitment to or focus on x, y and z.

Inspiration

Just haven't met you yet...

Here's my dedication/wish for those who long to meet their soul mate. Till you do, love yourself and have fun and I hope you continue to enjoy lives as I've done. xoxo

Lighthouse Challenge

Here's something I used to do years ago and wish I had time for now: The "Lighthouse Challenge." If you visit 10 Long Island lighthouses (pictured above is the Long Beach Bar Lighthouse at Peconic Bay) this Saturday at your own pace, between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., you'll receive a commemorative souvenir at the end of the journey. Individual lighthouse fees apply. For info call 631-661-4876, or visit: http://lilighthousesociety.org

Poetic struggle

Words are simply thoughts
that have been wrought
from lines that bend
within our souls

Then taking breath
I write and give it life
and form and voice
all while experiencing
internal strife

As letters turn to words
ideas within my spirit flush
and propel the action,
all in a sudden rush.

A Poets food

Poets do not feed on bread alone. They fuel their spirit and become inspired by a daily feast of inspiration from other's arts. In the case below and above it is music combined with words. I leave you in search of my repast...

~ Looking For Your Face ~ by Rumi

From the beginning of my life
I have been looking for your face
but today I have seen it

Today I have seen
the charm, the beauty,
the unfathomable grace
of the face
that I was looking for

Today I have found you
and those who laughed
and scorned me yesterday
are sorry that they were not looking
as I did

I am bewildered by the magnificence
of your beauty
and wish to see you
with a hundred eyes

My heart has burned with passion
and has searched forever
for this wondrous beauty
that I now behold

I am ashamed
to call this love human
and afraid of God
to call it divine

Your fragrant breath
like the morning breeze
has come to the stillness of the garden
You have breathed new life into me
I have become your sunshine
and also your shadow

My soul is screaming in ecstacy
Every fiber of my being
is in love with you

Your efflugence
has lit a fire in my heart
for me
the earth and sky

My arrow of love
has arrived at the target
I am in the house of mercy
and my heart
is a place of prayer

~Poem by Rumi; Translation by Farsi scholar Fereydoun Kia

~ My Burning Heart's Bittersweetness ~

Poems by Rumi; Translated by Deepak Chopra; Reading by Chopra & Madonna

~ My Burning Heart ~

My heart is burning with love
All can see this flame
My heart is pulsing with passion
like waves on an ocean

My friends have become strangers
and I’m surrounded by enemies
But I’m free as the wind
no longer hurt by those who reproach me

I’m at home wherever I am
And in the room of lovers
I can see with closed eyes
the beauty that dances

Behind the veils
intoxicated with love
I too dance the rhythm
of this moving world
I have lost my senses
in my world of lovers

~ Bittersweet ~

In my hallucination
I saw my beloved's flower garden
In my vertigo, in my dizziness
In my drunken haze
Whirling and dancing like a spinning wheel

I saw myself as the source of existence
I was there in the beginning
And I was the spirit of love
Now I am sober
There is only the hangover
And the memory of love
And only the sorrow

I yearn for happiness
I ask for help
I want mercy
And my love says:

Look at me and hear me
Because I am here
Just for that

I am your moon and your moonlight too
I am your flower garden and your water too
I have come all this way, eager for you
Without shoes or shawl

I want you to laugh
To kill all your worries
To love you
To nourish you

Oh sweet bitterness
I will soothe you and heal you
I will bring you roses
I, too, have been covered with thorns

~ Intoxicated by Love ~

Because of your love
I have lost my sobriety
I am intoxicated
by the madness of love

In this fog
I have become a stranger to myself
I'm so drunk
I've lost the way to my house

In the garden
I see only your face
From trees and blossoms
I inhale only your fragrance

Drunk with the ecstasy of love
I can no longer tell the difference
between drunkard and drink
Between lover and Beloved

Memo to the Undecided Voter

Newsweek recently asked NYC Mayor, Mike Bloomberg, to share his thoughts on what the President-elect should focus on starting November 4th. What Bloomberg produced was a memorandum full of issues and ideas that Newsweek has published in their November 3rd issue.

In reading the memo I thought to myself "This is precisely the reason I'm really glad Bloomberg will be able to run for a 3rd term as Mayor. He has an understanding and a vision of where this city and our nation need to go. I'd like to see Speaker Christine Quinn's and Borough President Markowits vision for our city and nation. Which leads me to ask: Do they even have one?

In reading the memo I also thought it was a great guideline for undecided voters to use in figuring out who to vote for and who is best qualified to achieve the most items on that memo.

I hope you read it and ponder on its contents!

Buffett on the State of our Economy

Why a Bailout's needed/Who's also to blame

Please watch the first 3 minutes of the first video below so you'll understand the impact of this crisis on you. Then watch the info on who's also to blame for this mess. When you're done, contact you're congressional representative and let them know how you feel. Check out the list to see how your Representative voted, then tell them how you want them to vote. Currently representatives are receiving letters of 20 to 1 running against the bailout. I'm a fiscal conservative who absolutely hates the idea of a bailout, but the truth is, we've done nothing till now, and after last night's bailouts by European countries of large European banks, its obvious that doing nothing is no longer an option that works.

We need to stem the fiscal hemorrhaging before there's a global economic collapse. Sovereign weatlth funds (foreign goverments who invest their money in the US) have begun to pull their money out of the US stock market and out of American banks during the last week. If we don't bring confidence and faith back to our banking system, we can lose more than our retirements, we will eventually lose our jobs. The real truth is, our Government does not have enough money left to help you or me to bail us out. Think about that if you decide to do nothing.

If you want to make an informed decision before contacting your Congressional Representative, then check out the draft language of the bailout legislation.

Paris... Je T'aime

... Beaucoup!

I think I must have been French in another life. There's too much on my mind to write at this moment. Having been deprived of sleep for the past week I must now seek it out when I can. Tonight is one of those nights. Perhaps, if I get enough rest, I'll meander and will visit my muse.

There Will Be No Peace

There Will Be No Peace
~ by W. H. Auden ~

Though mild clear weather
Smile again on the shire of your esteem
And its colours come back, the storm has changed you:
You will not forget, ever,
The darkness blotting out hope, the gale
Prophesying your downfall.

You must live with your knowledge.
Way back, beyond, outside of you are others,
In moonless absences you never heard of,
Who have certainly heard of you,
Beings of unknown number and gender:
And they do not like you.

What have you done to them?
Nothing? Nothing is not an answer:
You will come to believe - how can you help it? -
That you did, you did do something;
You will find yourself wishing you could make them laugh,
You will long for their friendship.

There will be no peace.
Fight back, then, with such courage as you have
And every unchivalrous dodge you know of,
Clear in your conscience on this:
Their cause, if they had one, is nothing to them now;
They hate for hate's sake.

Path to Gold

Path to Gold Originally uploaded by blakelipthratt

In this journey called life, those who succeed are the ones who embrace challenges as simple bumps in the road, which one needs to tackle with forethought and determination. Or as Napoleon Hill once wrote:

"Success comes to those who become success conscious. Failure comes to those who invariably allow themselves to be FAILURE CONSCIOUS."