Intention Sets Direction

There's one truly fantastic scene in Alice in Wonderland.

It occurs after Alice has shrunk, and she's exploring the dark,
mystical forest - desperately attempting to find her way.

Suddenly the disappearing-reappearing Cheshire Cat appears, perched
high in a tree, and offers to give her directions: "Where you are
going?"

"I don't know!" replies Alice.

The cat responds: "Well, if you don't know where you're going, any road
will take you there!"

What a revelation.

Do you know where you're going?

Let me ask you something.

Have you ever been to a party, expecting it to be absolutely great -
and it was? Or have you ever gone on a night out, expecting it to be
truly terrible - and it was?

Perhaps you've got out of bed, stubbed your toe, and decided this was
going to be a bad day - and it was? Or maybe you woke up, the sun was
shining, and you made the decision that today was going to be
fantastic- and it was?

It's funny. You see, we usually get the outcome we expect.

In other words, our intention sets our direction.

It's not that the physical world around us changes. It's just that the
way we perceive events alters. It's all in our relative perception.

We notice the good things at the party, and make light of the bad. We
soak up the sunshine and smile during a good day, and become a grump on
the bad.

We consistently prove ourselves right.

So, here's the trick.

By setting a good intention on the things you do, you'll automatically
achieve many more positive outcomes!

In fact, this simple principle forms the basis of almost every
self-development fad out there.

From The Secret to What The Bleep, from the Law of Attraction to Cosmic
Ordering - and yes, even prayer - they're all based on the idea of
setting your mind to something and letting yourself achieve it.

Yet most of these fads build up complicated systems and beliefs to help
warrant the price tag. They make it more complex to warrant your
purchase of the next book, the next DVD, the next seminar ticket.

But it's really not that difficult.

Distilled, simplified, unwrapped, the concept is the most uncomplicated
thing you'll ever encounter.

Quite simply: Intention sets direction. Full stop.

Set your intention - and you'll set your direction.

So, where in your life can you start setting your direction?

Try spending a few moments in bed before getting up, deciding that this
is going to be a wonderful day. Take a minute before your night out to
make the decision that you're going to hook up with some great people.
When meeting that annoying business client, set an intention that
you're going to get along great and make a real connection today.

It might not work every time, but it'll work more than life without
intention.

Increase your intention even further. Begin intending positive outcomes
during the smallest of exercises. During meetings. During walks. During
simple car journeys. During coffee breaks with friends.

Set an intention of happiness and positivity - and watch it come about
in your life.

Try it on your mindset, too. Set an intention of being great fun during
the party. Set an intention of writing a fantastic novel. Set an
intention of being a wonderful parent.

But whatever you do - set an intention.

Henry Ford once said: "Whether you think you can or you can't, you're
probably right."

Think about it.

He was actually saying that whatever we believe will happen, will
happen. The things that we hold in mind will ultimately come about. Our
intention sets our direction.

This is really one of the ultimate self-development secrets. By
applying this, we're setting the compass by which our personal ship
sails. It might sound stupidly simple, but it works - and works well.

So, discover it for yourself the easy way. Make setting your intention
part of your daily ritual.

Because if you don't know where you're going, any road will take you
there

Choose Your Outlook.....

I hope that in spite of all the doom and gloom in the world that you'refeeling happy and optimistic.It's true that there's no escaping the fact that we're living inchallenging times.With all the continued media talk of recession and financial crisis,you can't help but feel a little despondent, concerned and evendepressed. And yet, I often think that all this negative talk makes usspiral even further down into despair.The fact is, negativity feeds on negativity.Now, more than ever before, we need lots of positive vibes to lift ourspirits so that we can see a way out of the darkness.Yes, these challenges are real but each generation has faced challengesone way or another and one thing we should learn from that is that itdoesn't help matters to endlessly moan about them.We need positive thoughts, positive intentions, and positive action.If each of us becomes a ray of light - a bright beacon of positiveenergy - then we can move forward. We can make a difference.So, today, turn off the negative news and tune into your positive mood.Be a ray of light and radiate feel-good vibes.It's a much better outlook to choose!

Acknowledge Your Ego!!!!

How's your ego today?"What ego?" you might well ask defensively.You see, most people don't like acknowledging that they have an egobecause it's the side of them that shouts, screams, and cravesattention.Our egos make us act and do things that we can often abhor in otherpeople.And it's our egos that we must acknowledge and keep in check.Think back over the last week or so and, unless you're a saint, youwill recognize some event or situation that has caused your ego tosurface.The ego often gives rise to the bad in us.Perhaps you've said something that hurt a friend or loved one. Perhapsit's something that you didn't say! Perhaps you've acted foolishly as aresult of your ego?The ego is often what makes us dwell on past situations, making it seemten times worse. The ego can make us obsess to a point where our moodis impacted. Ego can even make us act in a way that could be perceivedas childish, thoughtless, selfish or just plain mean!Yes, the ego has a lot to answer for!Fortunately, you can control your ego. In doing so, you can release theangst that the ego often causes.This is what you have to do ...The next time you feel your emotions rise to boiling point, askyourself: Is this my ego? Am I feeling this way because my ego isthreatened in some way?Once you acknowledge your ego's involvement, you can move quickly onfrom a situation without further concern and without it causing anytrouble.It's simple but ultimately effective! Give it a try!

'A well-spent day brings happy sleep'.

'Where the spirit does not work with the hand, there is no art' -Leonardo da VinciOnce in a while, someone comes along and changes the worldsignificantly. One such person was Leonardo da Vinci.I have always been fascinated by the power of human potential ... bythe spark of imagination that can lead to great acts, deeds orinventions. And Da Vinci really does lead the way as one of the mostshining lights that ever lived.Some might say that this great man, born April 15 1452, was avisionary. Indeed, Da Vinci, recognized as a scientist, mathematician,engineer, inventor, anatomist, painter, sculptor, architect, botanist,musician and writer, has been described as the "Renaissance man" - aman whose "unquenchable curiosity" was equalled only by his powers ofinvention.Apart from being an excellent artist - one of the greatest painters -he is recognized as the most diversely talented person ever to havelived.His scientific vision resulted in him conceptualizing so manyinventions that have since come to pass – the helicopter, tank,calculator, the double hull, solar power and an outline of arudimentary theory of plate tectonics!He was, without question, a man before his time.He worked tirelessly and once said:'A well-spent day brings happy sleep'.Well, it is obvious from his great art works and his science, whichinspired future generations that he did as much as he could in the timethat he had.His quest for knowledge and for the realization of his immenseimagination was his driving force.We all have the spark of genius within us. We all have imagination.Let's then also make the most of it in the time that we have.

Dreams, Rules, Creating Yourself

I love inspiring quotes!They motivate me on a slow day or boost my mood whenever I feel a bitlow.Today, I have three quotes for you which certainly resonate with me.Perhaps they'll resonate with you?Let's start with Eleanor Roosevelt:'The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams'.That's just so true!When you're passionate about your goals ... when you truly see thebeauty in what you hope to achieve ... you begin that journey into thefuture.So believe in the beauty of your dreams!Next up is Katharine Hepburn:'If you obey all the rules, you miss all the fun'.I like this one!What are rules if they're not to be broken from time to time?Sometimes the best experiences defy the rule book ... or should Isay 'what rule book?'!And let's hear it from George Bernard Shaw:'Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself'.Isn't that just so!Many spend most of their lives asking 'who am I?' ... Well, you don'tneed to go looking.You find yourself by creating yourself. There really is no better wayof discovering the true you!Have these given you something to think about?I hope so!Have a fantastic day!