“No matter how dark things seem to be or actually are, raise your sights and see possibilities – always see them, for they’re always there.”
~Norman Vincent Peale
My summer is just starting. My school is over. While I will miss everyone, the students and the parents, I am at the start of three months of possibilities. I have a few commitments but otherwise each day is open to many possibilities.
I want to finish my book, have a great flower and vegetable garden, make really delicious food that is also healthy, travel to new places, take some unbelievable hikes in the mountains, read books, go swimming, meet some new people….. the list goes on!
I feel like a kid! Kids see the potential of every summer. Kids imagine great crafts, making a Tom Sawyer raft, a hole that must be dug, sprinklers to run through and stars at night to be wished upon. Were your summers as a kids that way? When we’re young and just starting out the world is full of possibilities.
Or as well as feeling like a kids, I could feel each summer like Oprah, Steve Jobs, Martha Stewart, Thomas Edison, or even Leonardo Da’vinci must feel/felt when they wake/woke up. Don’t you imagine them waking up each morning, stretching and smiling and looking at the possibilities in their life?
If only we could feel this way every morning, excited and enthusiastic! The whole day is laid out before us, just like a summer break. Fourteen – sixteen hours, depending how much you sleep of course, before us to use the way we want.
Then your inner voice starts a conversation:
“But wait,” you say, “I have responsibilities.”
“And besides, I’m no Oprah, Da’vinci or Edison.”
“And I have children to take care of.”
“And my job is serious.”
“I have a ______ to pay.” (insert mortgage, phone bill, Visa card)
Ok. I understand. You have responsibilities! And you’re going to let those responsibilities limit your possibilities. The possibilities that you make for yourself come from your beliefs.
Examine your beliefs:
• Is the world for you a loving place or hostile?
• If you’re a parent, do you look for the good in your children or the bad?
• Do you spend time connecting with yourself or are you always doing things for others and living only with the constant chatter in your head?
• Do you wish things were better yet do nothing to change that? Or do you act on your thoughts?
• At your workplace are you open or are you controlling? Are you a leader? Maybe you see yourself as a victim? Are bad things are always happening to you…Or are you pleased with your world?
You belief system is a self-fulfilling prophesy. Your beliefs are that inner voice your are hearing. If you can eliminate certain beliefs your reality will change
After eliminating certain negative beliefs, your other inner voice, the positive one, can say, “Wait, can’t our responsibilities be part of our possibilities?”
Well, why not? As George Bernard Shaw wrote: “You see things; and you say, ‘Why?’ But I dream things that never were; and I say, ‘Why not?’”
Your job as a parent, your career and even how you pay bills can be what you make it! So in this post I’m giving your homework. Time to stop seeing the world as a limiting place. Instead see the world this week as a week of possibilities.
1. Be open.
2. Make mistakes.
3. Think outside the box.
4. Be open to coincidence or serendipity.
5. Stop complaining.
6. Do something a lot different from the norm. Drive home a different way. Stop a new shop that’s just opened.
7. Do something outside your comfort zone.
8. Remove negative behavior.
9. Volunteer in your “dream industry” (tinybuddha)
10. See the humor in life.
11. Change your attitude!
12. Sing this song from Oklahoma all week:
“Oh what a beautiful morning,
Oh what a beautiful day,
I’ve got a wonderful feeling,
Everything’s going my way.”
You all know the quote “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” Well, make some lemonade with your responsibilities and turn them in possibilities.
For example, if you’re watching your children all summer, create a fun summer filled with trips to little creeks, playgrounds, hikes around a fun farmer’s market or a scavenger hunt around your neighborhood. (It doesn’t have to be expensive) If you’re in a serious job, start bringing humor to work. People may be grumpy at first but they’ll start to look forward to your jokes and one day bring a joke of their own! If you are overwhelmed by the bills you have, look at them in a different way. Thank them (yes I’m talking about the bills) for the opportunity they give you to have a house, car, phone or to do the many things you get to do. Thank your taxes for giving you an incredible place to live.
Creating a possibility is “like removing a roadblock” in the street that is your life!
So join me and be excited for all the possibilities this summer. As part of your homework assignment, write below what possibilities you have for the summer. I can’t wait to hear what you’re going to be doing!
For more tips on how to have a positive day, please click here to read a great post by Vidya Sury at Going A-Musing.
Please come and listen to my radio interview with Victor Scheuller at his positivity website. Click here.
Also, if you live in the area, I will be signing books at the Hearthfire Bookstore in Evergreen on June 7th at their Wine@5:00 event.
Great post, thanks for sharing! Possibilities for me this summer will be to enjoy time in the country at the cottage for the first time in a few years. Reading, renewing and reconnecting!
[Reply]
Betsy Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 6:49 pm
Wendy,
That sounds great! Love your three R’s! So glad to have your comment and I’m looking forward to going to visit your site as well.
[Reply]
Wonderful post! Thanks for all the reminders.
Possibilities: Finishing my “learning to read and write for dyslexic children-project”, reading, writing and esp. relaxing and enjoying nothingness.
Greetings,
Stephany
PS: Translation of your book is still on my to do-list. Very curious also about your new book!
[Reply]
Betsy Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 6:49 pm
Stephany,
Your plans sound great! A combination of relaxation and interesting projects plus lots of reading! I think about our collaberation that will definitely occur sometime in the future. The new book will hopefully be done in the very near future. It’s called Diary of A Zen Mama. It’s a year’s worth of things we can work on to become better people. It might need to be translated, too!!
Thanks for the comment, Stephany.
[Reply]
I’m excited about summer this year too. The kids and I are planning some really special things for all of us and I just truly can’t wait for it to start next week!
[Reply]
Betsy Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 6:49 pm
Congrats! Can’t wait to hear your plans. Thanks for commenting Missy!
[Reply]
I appreciate the mention very much! Thank you!
Love, Vidya
[Reply]
Betsy Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 6:49 pm
Thank you dear friend, Vidya! The word comes right from Norman Vincent Peale. I think it’s time that I read his book on positivity. I love our partnership, too! Have a wonderful weekend! And thank for the comment.
[Reply]
Pingback: 3 Healing Steps-How Watering and Nurturing the Positive Seeds of your relationships can make them Glow | *Positive Provocations*
I turned my responsibility of my executive job into the possibility of doing it from home full-time with my kids around me with lots of time flexibility. Where there’s a will, there’s a way in any situation.
This summer we’re putting together a fundraiser for our mountain lion facility. Lots of fun work there! And lots of hikes and playing together. It’s going to be an amazing summer!
[Reply]
Betsy Reply:
May 27th, 2012 at 4:14 am
You certainly did! And very successfully! Sounds like you’re going to have an amazing summer, Paige! Is the mountain facility at your zoo? That does sound like fun work. And I know you must live near many beautiful hikes. That’s always on my summer list as well! Thanks for the comment!!
[Reply]
Great post and particularly applicable since my kids are officially in summer vacation. As a part-time work at home mom, I do much of my work while they are in school so things will need to be adjusted a bit over the summer. Attitude and expectations are everything and I am going to try to spend less time working and more time having fun with them. Thanks for the reminder.
[Reply]
Betsy Reply:
May 27th, 2012 at 4:12 am
It does take a little while to adjust but can be so much fun. I have so many wonderful memories when my kids were small and we took so many adventures but also loved the time at home!! Although I wasn’t working then and can’t imagine how I would have but somehow you always seem to make everything work!! I hope you have a wonderful summer Christie! So glad you enjoyed!! And thanks for the comment!
[Reply]
I taught for twenty years–love that academic schedule! Great post and thanks for the bonus links.
[Reply]
Betsy Reply:
May 27th, 2012 at 4:09 am
There certainly are many benefits to teaching but that could be the biggest one!! What did you teach? So glad you enjoyed and thanks for the comment!
[Reply]
There are so many wonderful things about this post, I can’t begin to list. Thank you for sharing your wisdom with us. I consider myself pretty positive, but while reading I came across several things I certainly could improve upon. Excellent post!
[Reply]
Betsy Reply:
May 29th, 2012 at 3:56 am
Thanks Terri! So glad you enjoyed! Thanks for your comment!!
[Reply]
I love this post!! Thank you!!
[Reply]
Betsy Reply:
May 29th, 2012 at 3:57 am
I’m so glad Nikky! Thanks for the comment!
[Reply]
I think everyone should have a summer break. I just love feeling like there is something new on the horizon or the feeling of taking time to replenish yourself.
[Reply]
Betsy Reply:
May 29th, 2012 at 3:58 am
I think everyone should, too. In France they basically take the month of August off! Why not? And I’m always ready to get back to work in August. It is a great time for replenishing!
[Reply]
Betsy – another wonderful post. How blessed you are to have the summer off! I know you work hard all year to earn it, but wow. Another great quote to boot.
[Reply]
Betsy Reply:
May 29th, 2012 at 3:58 am
Thanks Maggie! That is a great quote, isn’t it? So glad you liked the post! Thanks for the comment!
[Reply]
Kids do see all the possibilities, don’t they?! They just wake up every morning all fresh faced and happy, eager to see what the day brings.
Great post. I’m excited about your summer and meeting you in person in August!!!
[Reply]
Betsy Reply:
May 29th, 2012 at 3:59 am
Jenny,
Yes kids can teach us a lot about living in the moment, if we’re willing to listen!
Can’t wait until August, too! Thanks for the comment!
[Reply]
Don’t you imagine them waking up each morning, stretching and smiling and looking at the possibilities in their life?
Betsy,
I can feel your enthusiasm spreading like wild fire! Those kids are so lucky to have you. I hope all of your summer dreams come true!
[Reply]
Betsy Reply:
May 30th, 2012 at 5:24 am
Thanks Tess! I do feel enthusiastic this summer! So many fun things on the horizon!! I’m sure you’re the same! I can imagine you seeing all the possibilities each day!
[Reply]
I definitely needed to read this on my first day back from vacation! I always have a hard time coming back to “real life.” But I’m going to take your advice and start doing my homework… thank you!
Hope you have a great trip!
[Reply]
Betsy Reply:
June 8th, 2012 at 8:19 am
Hi Michelle,
I’m so glad you enjoyed. How’s the homework? I just took a vacation, too, which turned out to be digital-free. I’m sharing that and some of my pics hopefully later today. Loved seeing your pics from your trip. By the way, I got a new digital camera with changeable lenses and am excited to go back through your photography lessons.
[Reply]
Betsy…
As always, I finish reading your posts with a smile on my face. What a great reminder that if we wake up thinking about all of the possibilities rather than getting into ‘our to do’ mode right away, we set the tone for whatever we create…or comes our way.
It’s wonderful that you have 3 months off. i know you’re going to enjoy every minute of it.
Fran
[Reply]
Hi Betsy,
I just wanted you to know that I mentioned your blog in my most recent post; well-deserved my dear. I DO enjoy stopping by
[Reply]
Betsy Reply:
June 8th, 2012 at 8:17 am
Just got back from a digital free vacation! (as you’ll see in my next post!) So please excuse the delay in responding. I’ll head over to your blog to catch up. Thanks for stopping by!!
[Reply]
Pingback: TreatmentTalk – Discover Your Intuition! An Interview with Angela Artemis | Treatment Talk
What a lovely and inspiring post! Thanks for sharing!
[Reply]
Betsy Reply:
June 8th, 2012 at 8:15 am
Thank you Deirdre! So glad you enjoyed!!
[Reply]
Pingback: Living Life Today – Are You Moving or Standing Still? | Personalpower4me's Blog
First, how did I not see this post til now? I could have used it last week, lol. Anyhow, awesome as usual Betsy!
Hope your summer is going splendidly!
[Reply]
Betsy Reply:
June 11th, 2012 at 6:24 pm
So glad to see you here Sheila! My summer has been amazing so far. Hope yours is, too!
[Reply]
Great post! Love it. How has your summer been so far?
[Reply]