Lately, I have been pondering the idea of failure and considering that maybe there really is no such thing. What we perceive as a failure may simply be our inner being’s way of telling us that we are ready to move to a new level of growth.

No matter how well we think we know ourselves, we all have blind spots. And we all have an inner being that connects with something much wiser than ourselves, that sees the larger picture of our journey toward wisdom and wholeness.  All too often, when we rely only on our conscious mind, we resist or overlook opportunities to grow. So our spirit has to get our attention. Failures are a very efficient way of doing just that. Cheers to a better place!

As we embark on a new year, so many of us make resolutions to lose weight, stop smoking, go to church, stick to a budget, and the annual list goes on. A few years ago, I decided I was no longer going to make resolutions each new-year and instead develop mantras that I would focus on living my life throughout the year. Last year, one such mantra was to find joy and happiness in every situation good or bad.

Last year I didn’t know it then, but I couldn’t have picked a better mantra for 2011 because I surely encountered some of difficult situations. To put it lightly, 2011 was interesting. Needless to say, I was happy to usher in a new year and optimistic about the possibilities. More importantly, I learned a valuable lesson that there is joy in every situation and I’m in control of it.

“Happiness is a choice, not a gift!” By going to gratitude and focusing on the things that were good in my life I was able to tackle the crazy stuff with a smile. Sure, I didn’t like it, but wasn’t it enough that I had to deal with it? I refused to let mere temporary situations affect my overall happiness. So, I often found myself saying, ‘it is what is.’ And, once I stopped going against the flow of the universe I was able to accept the situation, try to move passed it and still stay happy.

“So, what?!”  Stuff happens, but you have to make the choice to focus on the bad parts. You have to make the choice to be miserable. You have to make the choice not to accept it for what it was, deal with it and move on.” I am not diminishing the severity of anyone’s issues. Instead, I am encouraging the power of your spirit to guide you to make the choice to find joy in life in spite of any issues that you may encounter in this thing called life.  You have to make the choice!

We create our own reality into existence. If we say we’re miserable and focus on the bad then, we’re miserable. Conversely, if we focus on the good in our life and proclaim joy then, we become that too. So, my hope is that as you begin a new year that you go to gratitude in all situations, especially the bad ones, and remember that happiness is yours.  And you have to want it, receive it and embrace it!

This year mantra for me is “Living well in 2012”.  So far I am doing just that, as God planned for my life.  Cheers!

My friend, you are alive and awake today. What will you do with such an amazing gift?  You can take it for granted, convinced that you’ll get another and another and another. Or you can give yourself a reason to celebrate life right now.

Before you waste a single moment hanging your head and griping about work, traffic or a fight with your spouse or kids; open yourself to these inspirational thoughts.  Happiness is ALWAYS, even on a “bad” day, within your grasp. But it won’t chase you down. To experience happiness in life, you must choose happiness day after day after day.  There’s no better time to start than the present moment.

Stop whatever you are doing or thinking and take a moment to get happy about something right now. Flowers, lakes, beaches, trees; love; a recent or upcoming vacation; friends; a warm embrace or a positive affirmation; the sun’s infinite rays or the smile of someone you love.

Wake up and realize that each and every one of us is an extension of a beautiful, magnificent, amazing source. We are more significant to this Universe than any physical attribute may portray.

If you look in the mirror and you don’t see someone worthy of love, look again. Remind yourself that the precious Soul that was within you as an infant is still there. Nothing that happens (or doesn’t happen) in the physical determines your value.

You are not your nose size, body shape, or job title. You don’t have to be the smartest, richest or prettiest to be worthy of love.

Love yourself now. You don’t need to be the most famous or the best dressed in order to have value.  Please don’t take today for granted and remember tomorrow is not promised.  I am so thankful to day!

Value yourself now. You were born with great value. You are a child of a higher power!

My Lessons

You’ll never come upon a mistake that doesn’t contain within it a lesson, so make sure tograsp hold of it. Ask yourself, “What did I learn from this  ‘failure’?” “What did I learn from this experience?”  How valuable is the lesson?

Think about how this lesson will benefit you in a month, year, or decade. Now sit quietly for a moment in a state of gratitude, giving thanks for the wisdom imparted upon you by what you call failure. From this state of gratitude, you emit a positive vibration that attracts your most wonderful desires. This is the perfect place to start again.  Remember the lesson so that you won’t have to visit the same situation again.  Cheers!