What if the next post you write was your last?

So, I'm was thinking today about this.... If this were the last thing I ever wrote, what would I write about? Quite philosophical, huh? And, I don't want to get a brain cramp thinking to much about it.

If I just write what "pops" into my mind, it would be this...

• Life is too short. Right now I'm 56. Yesterday I was 40 and tomorrow I'll be 80 (if I live that long). How come by the time you get life all figured out, you're on your way out? Bummer.


• Life should be lived more in the present and less in the past or the future.


• Everyone should own a dog at least once. They love you know matter what and are great companions. It feels great to give your dog a hug.


• The man in the mirror is the most important person in your life. Be true, honest, and loyal.


• Time spent in stillness and quietness, listening to God, is time well spent.


• Finally figuring out that you DON'T know it all, is one of life's biggest lessons.


• Learning to say "I'm sorry" takes away a lot of pain and wasted time.


• Don't worry about things you can't control. It's a waste of time.


• Don't worry about things you can control. If you can control it, why worry about it.


• Faith will see you through the darkest hours.

What's Important to You?

Different things are important to different people. Different things are important at different times in our lives. Today, I am reflecting on the things that are important to me.

Giving thanks to God for life's blessings

Family

Friends

A good night's sleep

Laughter

Making a difference in the life of someone else

Good health

Being kind and fair to others

Giving my best

Treating each day as a gift

If you are so inclined, please leave a short list of things that are important to you today.

-Dan

Laugh Often

I have always been a student of success. To me success means making a difference. That's the message of this poem by Ralph Waldo Emerson.

To laugh often and much

to win the respect of intelligent people

and the affection of children;

to earn the appreciation of honest critics

and endure the betrayal of false friends;

to appreciate beauty;

to find the best in others;

to leave the world a bit better,

whether by a healthy child,

a garden patch

or a redeemed social condition;

to know even one life has breathed easier

because you have lived.

This is to have succeeded.

Did I make a difference in someone else's life today? I hope I can often say, "Yes I did."

Why Are You Here On This Earth?

Do you know the purpose of your life? Do you know why you are here? Once you discover your Big Why your life will take on a magical quality of peace and passion.

Here's mine: to live my life every day in a way that positively impacts the lives of others. I want to make a difference. This is my passion and my desire.

How do I go about fulfilling my purpose?

• I begin every day by expressing gratitude for the blessings in my life. I spend a few minutes giving thanks for my health, my family, my loved ones, my career, the sunrise, the new day, etc.


• I think about how each day is a full of wonderful opportunities.


• As a Financial Advisor I help people achieve their dreams and accomplish meaningful goals in their life.


• As a husband, father, and friend I try to give my best in love and commitment.

I remember a little song from my childhood that said, "This little light of mine....I'm gonna let it shine." That's my goal. To let my little light shine in my little corner of this world.

Take 100% Responsibility for Your Life

I am a big fan of Jack Canfield (the "Chicken Soup" author) and a student of success. A while back I purchased his book, "The Success Principles," and it's sat untouched on my night stand for far too long. I couldn't bring myself to read it because of the dreadful circumstances I was facing.

A while back I faced major personal set-backs that really took the wind out of my sails. In every area of my life I faced major challenges: relationships, finances, career, self-esteem, you name it.

I certainly didn't feel like a success. It was a time of distress and darkness.

But here's what I've learned. I brought it all upon myself. Oh, I could blame others, blame the market, blame circumstances, or blame it on the economy. But, in reality I understand that the results I get are because of the choices I make.

So, today I opened Jack's book and intend to read it and take it to heart.

He begins by writing about the Fundamentals of Success and the first principle is that we must learn to "Take 100% Responsibility" for our lives. The truth is that there is only one person responsible for the quality of the life you live.

That person is YOU.

You are where you are today and what you are today because of the choices you have made in the past. What is also gloriously true is that the past is the past. All that matters from this day forward is that you choose to act as if you are 100% responsible for the future. If you truly believe this and commit to act in self-empowering ways, your future will unfold in all the marvelous ways you want.

I am in charge of my life. You are in charge of your life. I don't know about you, but I choose success!

The Power of Words and Thoughts

The words we speak and the thoughts we think are much more POWERFUL than most of us realize. We carelessly use words and hold thoughts without realizing the effect they have upon ourselves and others. Or, we can use our words and thoughts to make magic in our lives. One of my goals in 2008 is to be more careful with my words and thoughts and to use my words and thoughts to create the life I really, really want.

The words that we speak and the thoughts that we think can change our physical reality. "Hado" is the phenomenon brought to light by the work of Japanese researcher Dr. Masaru Emoto. "Hado" refers to the subatomic vibration which exists in all matter and its basis, the energy of consciousness.

Dr. Emoto is best known for his study of water and how words affect its physical reality. Water samples were subjected to various words, spoken and written, as well as music, and then frozen and looked at under a microscope. The results were staggering. Dr. Emoto says,

"Words are the vibrations of nature. Therefore beautiful words create beautiful nature. Ugly words create ugly nature. This is the root of the universe.”

Here are two examples of water crystals subjected to the following words: "I will kill you" followed by "Love and Gratitude."

If words and thoughts can have this effect upon water, what effect do they have upon our lives, relationships, goals, and dreams? I wonder....

• What words and thoughts do I hold in my mind each day?
• What effect do the words I speak to others have?
• What effect do the words I use in my own "self-talk" have within my body and life?
• How can I use my words and thoughts to manifest my goals and dreams?

You can read about Dr. Emoto's work at http://www.hado.net/

(copyright 2007 by Dan Forbes, All Rights Reserved)

Taking a Risk Is Hard To Do

No matter what you do, there are always going to be risks associated with it. One of the hardest things to do in life is to take risks. When it comes to money some people say they are not willing to risk their financial security. They find risk-taking to be frightening.

KEY: Everything you do in life involves risk.

Think about it. Even if you decide to do nothing, there is risk in that! You cannot escape the fact that a life without risk is impossible.

You have probably seen a clip of Wildebeests crossing the Crocodile infested rivers in Africa. The Wildebeests gather by the thousands waiting to cross. If they avoid the risk and stay on this side of the river they face starvation. If they take the risk, plunge into the water, they risk being eaten alive. But getting to the other side is necessary for their survival. The eventually face their fear head-on and take the plunge.

"But what if I fail?" - What if you do? You can start over in a new exciting adventure. Maybe that's the wrong question. Maybe we should be asking, "What if I succeed?" The first question focuses on fear; the second question focuses on possibilities.

If you are worried about money, you are probably focusing on fear which makes you feel powerless to change your situation. The key is to change your mind-set and begin focusing on possibilities which creates new solutions.

Remember the key to the Law of Attraction: What we think about comes about. If you focus your thoughts and emotions on failure, that's what you'll get. However, if you focus your thoughts and emotions on possibilities, the universe will open the doors to success.

(Copyright © 2007 By Dan Forbes. All Rights Reserved.