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Tonight will find people all around the globe celebrating the end of an old decade and rejoicing in the new. Everyone will be wishing for a change for the better.

No matter what it is they hope for, it could be a change in the world, their lifestyle, health, or wealth. But whatever the desired change it is always assumed that the change will be for the better.

We can all make a change for the better in our lives, but it has to start in the mind, and in our thoughts. To keep the hope and optimism alive, we need to fill our minds with happy positive thoughts. The past, no matter how awful, is past. In the future there lies an opportunity for each of us to start anew.

It is the hope of new beginnings that is behind the world wide celebrations. Those who can hold fast to their vision throughout the year will find the year ahead full of opportunities.

Don’t think for one moment that the past equals the future, new opportunities can occur where and when they are least expected.

Keep a relaxed open mind, and be ready to accept a change for the better in your life.

How do you compare? It’s not just beauty that is in the eye of the beholder, but everything in life, albeit character, health, wealth, happiness, success, security, safety or danger, is purely an opinion.

Your opinion is based upon your own experience, standards, beliefs, hopes, wishes and fears.

So what is happiness? What is success? The answer lies within yourself. If you can find peace, contentment, and gratitude for all that life has blessed you with, irrespective of what you think others may or may not have, you will have found happiness.

How can you compare your own uniqueness? You and you alone have your own thoughts, you are able to make your own decisions and comparisons based on your own values.

Ask yourself, what is important to you in your life and why? What changes would you like to make and why? What would you stand to gain if those changes were to be made? What would you stand to lose?

Your life is your own, and you mold it as you see fit. Don’t lose sight of the simple pleasures in life, the little things that bring a smile to your face. Some things just cannot be compared.

Would you rather dare to live your dream, or live your life in regret? Isn’t it far better to live your dream and to have no regrets?

Have you pushed your dream away out of reach and out of sight? Have you turned your back on your dream just because of the opinion of other people? Maybe you’ve been told that your dream is impractical and foolish, or even worse that you have no hope of success?

Have you considered the possibility that the opinion of other people is not only biased, but incorrect? How can they possibly know what lies deep within you? Do they know what hidden resources you have?

Just ask yourself.. Do you believe that you can succeed? Is your dream worthwhile? How would success change your life? Would following your dream cause harm to anyone?

Don’t be swayed by the opinion of others.. If you believe in yourself, and if you believe in your dream, you have every right to follow your heart, and you have every right to follow your dream.. It is your birthright.

Have the courage to live your dream.. And have no regrets.

Once upon a time there lived a beautiful soul who didn’t know what to do. The poor soul was unhappy, because it felt it didn’t belong. The tortured soul longed for a new body, a new life, new experiences, but didn’t know which way to turn.

Does the dilemma of that beautiful soul sound familiar? Do you recognize the symptoms? It’s a familiar scenario that occurs when a turning point has been reached, and the inner voice is crying out to be heard.

Don’t try to push it away, acknowledge that the time has come for change. There is a continual cycle of change and growth in the life of every living being and nothing remains static.

The secret of life is to accept the changes that will occur and adapt accordingly. You can help yourself by taking time out to assess and evaluate the situation.

Ask yourself how you could gain from the imminent changes ahead. What have you put on hold in the past? Could this be the opportunity for you achieve a long forgotten dream? Whatever your goal in life, it is never too late.

Broaden your horizons, try something different, take up a new interest, learn something new, visit a different neighborhood, join a club, meet new people, anything to brush off the old cobwebs and shake yourself out of the doldrums.

A change is as good as a rest, and it’s never too late to change.

Before you embark upon new ventures or seek new horizons, it’s a good idea to clear away any remaining cobwebs of past mistakes. After all, you don’t want to be hampered by any negative reminders do you?
There’s nothing like clearing the deck and ridding yourself of old unwanted clutter.

Do you remember the feeling when you started a brand new exercise book at school? When you turned to the first page of a new diary? When you hung up a new calendar?

New horizons are best approached unfettered. Leave your old mistaken ways behind, don’t carry them with you, they have no place in your brave new world.

Act as if you are born again. You have been given a new opportunity, and can now achieve the success you desire.

The secret is to keep looking forward. Just as though you are following a road map, keep your eye on the road ahead, and follow your star.

“Necessity may be the mother of invention, but play is certainly the father.” – Roger von Oech

We all need to be inspired don’t we? Well, here are a few Words of Inspiration to Brighten-Up Your Day. And if you like them, and they cheer you up, why not pass them on to a few of your friends …
Living on Earth is expensive, but it does include a free trip around the sun every year.
How long a minute is depends on what side of the bathroom door you’re on.
Birthdays are good for you; the more you have, the longer you live.
Happiness comes through doors you didn’t even know you left open.
Ever notice that the people who are late are often much jollier than the people who have to wait for them?
If Wal-Mart is lowering prices every day, how come nothing is free yet?
You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the world to one person.
Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once.
Don’t cry because it’s over; smile because it happened.
We could learn a lot from crayons: some are sharp, some are pretty, some are dull, some have weird names, and all are different colors….but they all exist very nicely in the same box.
A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.
Most of us go to our grave with our music still inside us.

Today I wish everyone, everywhere,
A very Happy Christmas
Peace on Earth
And Goodwill to all Men.

I am blessed with two adorable little dogs and both are lovely with their own endearing ways. Louis is a toy poodle, and Lola is a Yorkshire Terrier. In their own little ways, they both remind me of the Tao, but today I’d like but I’d like to tell you about the Tao of Lola.

Lola is the spirit of the Tao. She must be the happiest little dog in the world. From the moment she wakes up until she goes to sleep, her little tail is continually wagging. I’m sure she doesn’t have a nasty thought in her little head.

As I watch her, and observe her sheer happiness and love of life, I can’t help but think of the teachings of the Tao. The simplicity of life, living in the moment, loving others, love of nature, love of life.

If only we could all be as happy, loving, as and content as Lola. Wouldn’t that be a wonderful world?

Just imagine, no wars, no jealousy, no greed, and no hate. No wonder that the likes of the Dalai Llama always have such a beautiful serene smile on their face.

It’s sad that all major religions seem to see fit to argue, to maim, to kill and destroy. Yet at the same time they all preach peace and love. Something is wrong somewhere.

The Tao is not a religion, it is a way of life, a peaceful, happy, harmonic way of life. Surely that’s the underlying message behind all creeds, religion and beliefs.

Maybe we would all fare better in life, and feel a lot happier and more content if we were to emulate the Tao of Lola.

Do you say what you mean, or mean what you say? Do you convey your desires exactly? Or do you leave others to ignore or second guess them?

Are your thoughts and words merely wishful thinking, or are they positive requests? Do you for example, say ‘it would be nice if you were to help?’ Or do you say ‘please help me?’

To have the universe, and the law of attraction on your side, you need to be specific in your requests. If you need extra money, don’t just wish for more money, ask for the specific amount that you need. If you need the money for a special item that you would like, describe it in detail and ask for it.

When you would like friends, colleagues or relatives to do something for you, don’t hint, or beat about the bush, simply ask nicely, but don’t forget to say please.

Timid hints and self centered sulks are all very well, but do they work? Far better for your self esteem and success if you are positive, and state your case with calmness and clarity.

It will not help you to keep your wishes under wraps, with the best will in the world, most people are not mind readers and need you to carefully spell things out. If need be explain in detail ..who..what..where.. when ..why.. and how.

Try to stop and think before you speak and be aware of your exact words. If you want to be fully understood, you should both mean what you say, and say what you mean.

How often do you utter the words excuse me? When do you use them? Why do you use them?

Of course, if you wish to pass someone in a tight spot it’s a polite request, but why should you allways be making excuses for yourself? Do you find that you are frequently asking for your behaviour to be excused, or having to say sorry, even when you have done nothing wrong?

Do you find that you are being continually apologetic for no good reason? Don’t make needless excuses for yourself. Stop putting yourself down. Accept yourself for the person that you are.

Don’t forget that your subconscious mind believes every word you say, and acts upon them. It makes sense then, to feed your subconscious with positive thoughts and feelings.

Try repeating some encouraging affirmations to yourself. Be proud of yourself, you too, are an important part of the universe, you also have an important role to play in life and you are loved and appreciated along with every other living creature.

Maybe you haven’t yet realized your role in life, but you will. Think about all the good things you have done in your life. Just think of how many people you have helped along the way. What happiness have you spread? How many smiles have you brought about?

Yes, you are indeed a worthy person.