I found this video quite by chance a couple of days ago, and on each watching of it, am struck more & more by the awesomeness of our universe, and by the imagination of humans to be able to FIND such distant galaxies. Towards the end I get a lump in my throat

(I guess I should explain : I’m a bit of geek when it comes to things time-spacey!)

And a variation (perhaps less geeky in terms of numbers) :

Let me know what you think of this…

blessings
Tracey

Earlier I was reading an email from a friend, in which he told me about a personal growth weekend he’d been on.  He wrote: ” it struck me that that was the week-end when I fell back in love with my life….“. I got goosebumps when I read that  – what an incredibly powerful statement to be able to make!

I know that I have the choice to feel the same about my life too … as long as I exercise that choice! In recent weeks I’ve been feeling a bit low, anxious about matters financial, and basically feeling a bit overwhelmed. Perhaps its the transition into Spring, that old issues are springing forth too?!

As usual, the Universe is pointing out to me, only an almost daily basis, that I can overcome these unhelpful thoughts in my head. A couple of weeks ago I got a link in an email, to register to view some excellent videos by the wonderful Bob Proctor – try them out yourself too: http://www.bobproctor-training.net/; the main theme of the 3 videos is that we can change the thoughts (or programmes, you could call them) in our heads.
[He is a promoting an excellent-sounding program, but you don't have to sign up for that - just watch the videos at least, they're very interesting.]

I had lunch with a friend on Friday, and we started talking about why I seem to be fearful about certain things in my life. Now, in most cases (things like being chased by a lion, or having a car accident, excluded in this!) fear is just a product of our minds – False Evidence Appearing Real, as the acronym goes! So my most important task for the moment is to be aware when I’m running old programmes of negative self-talk in my head, and question their validity – and chances are I’ll realise that things are never as bad as I fear!

I read an email forwarded on to me today, with some interesting thoughts on stress. Here are a couple of paragraphs:

“Some people consider crawling along in traffic an opportunity to listen to their favorite music or relax and do their best thinking. For others, traffic is a nightmare that will ruin their entire day. For some, a late appointment is a stressful experience, for others, living in a third-world country without running water is a joyful one. Adversity or opportunity? It depends on your perspective.

It is not your circumstances that are to blame for the issues in your life. Rather, it is your response to those issues that is the problem. [If you can] control your response to life’s issues they lead to powerful results. Your response is always a choice. Whether you know it or not, either you make the right choice, or the wrong one is made for you.

Successful people and great leaders do one thing differently than most people during times of challenge. They think for themselves and choose powerful states of being instead of sinking into the prevailing negative default state of their circumstances and the people around them.”

This is a very powerful way of reframing our reactions to stress. I do this … sometimes! And it really can defuse situations. I plan to practice more

(from Sonia Ricotti http://leadoutloud.ca/)

Thanks to my friend Tina for sending these to me…
Twelve things to remember:

1. The value of time
2. The success of perseverance
3. The pleasure of working
4. The dignity of simplicity
5. The worth of character
6. The power of kindness
7. The influence of example
8. The obligation of duty
9. The wisdom of economy
10. The virtue of patience
11. The improvement of talent
12. The joy of originating

I read a newsletter this evening that really got me thinking … about how I, like so many others, often don’t do the important things in life – the easy, trivial or seemingly important things take priority.

Alexander Green, author of Spiritual Wealth, wrote the following (see the full article on the blog):

“On the first page, my eye fell on the following quote: “There is no shortage of time, only a confusion of priorities.”

He puts this quote in the context of a personal story, but it’s so true in MY life – much as I try to change that, it’s very easy to slip back into old habits.

He then continues:

If you need encouragement, John Maxwell, author of “Today Matters,” offers a helpful prayer:

Dear Lord, So far today, I am doing alright. I have not gossiped, lost my temper, been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish, or self-indulgent. I have not whined, cursed, or eaten any chocolate. However, I am going to get out of bed in a few minutes, and I will need a lot more help after that. Amen.

According to Maxwell, “People create success in their lives by focusing on today. It may sound trite, but today is the only time you have. It’s too late for yesterday. And you can’t depend on tomorrow. That’s why today matters.”

Most of us are planners, of course, and forward-looking by nature. But it’s what you do today that determines what you are tomorrow. Or, as the great industrialist Henry Ford once said, “You can’t build a reputation on what you’re going to do.”

So give yourself a friendly push and start pursuing what matters most. Commit to it daily. And, remember, “there is no shortage of time, only a confusion of priorities.”

Read the full article if you can, but if nothing else, take away that last quote… and live for today, for yourself!

Blessings…

Tracey