“You are not here merely to make a living. You are here in order to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, with a finer spirit of hope and achievement. You are here to enrich the world, and you impoverish yourself if you forget the errand.”
- Woodrow Wilson

Creating a powerful personal life vision has many benefits. It offers you guidance in charting the way forward. It also drives the actions, decisions and behavior that you undertake. Where it is lived into, it basically sums up who you are, your life story and the meaning you have created.

If you are like most people, you cannot envision what you are going to do next weekend, much less form a life vision for yourself. But here is the thing. Not to have or at least be able to form a life vision leaves you like a boat without a rudder; subject to the currents of life. You are more likely to paddle along (which makes your progress slow) or go around in circles. However, if you hope to lead a life that is more than mediocre, then you will need to take charge.

The Wright brothers had the vision of powered human flight in 1903. Many modern day conveniences that we enjoy today had roots in the vision of Thomas Edison. Touched by God’s profound love, Mother Theresa had the vision of bringing light to the poor in the “dark holes” of Calcutta. Walt Disney had the vision of “making people happy” with theme parks and movies.

Visioning does not have to be an exercise reserved for big corporations. Anyone can come up with a personal life vision. It involves some thought. Here are some tips that you can keep in mind:
- Inspires you to be your highest potential;
- Connect with passion;
- Invoke imagination;
- Remove fear
- Align with higher purpose;
- Inspires action.

Inspires You to be Your Highest Potential

“A vision is not just a picture of what could be; it is an appeal to our better selves, a call to become something more.”
- Rosabeth Moss Kanter

A vision is big-picture. It offers a long term perspective. It inspires you to be the best of who you can be.

A vision does not necessarily offer you guidelines on how to reach the desired goal or destination. It just gives you the final snapshot. Yet, if you are able to hold focused attention and put energy behind your vision, the steps to take will reveal themselves.

Connect with Passion

“Nothing great in the world has ever been accomplished without passion.”
- Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel

Passion is among the most powerful of human emotions, and it must form the basis of any life vision. In fact, it also plays a part in making your life seamless for passion comes in when you love the work that you do. And so, work does not feel like work but becomes very much part of who you are.

Put simply, passion is something that makes you excitedly jump out of bed in the morning or what you would love to do on a Friday night. Most definitely, it has to connect with your heart. A desire based on whim and fancy does not last because it is fleeting. Your enthusiasm fizzles out after a while.

If you are not able to connect with passion, then your vision will fall short. This is because without strong heartfelt desire, anything you do will be like swimming upstream. On the other hand, passion will make the effort involved a downstream one. Obviously, swimming with the current is a lot easier than going against it.

Invoke Imagination

“All the breaks you need in life wait within your imagination, Imagination is the workshop of your mind, capable of turning mind energy into accomplishment and wealth.”
- Napolean Hill

To create a powerful life vision, you must invoke imagination. Through imagination, you paint an ideal mental picture of what you would like to see in the future. You introduce possibility. Imagination provides the fertile ground for creative seeds to take root.

Your consciousness also becomes expansive because you are no longer limited to seeing what-is. Your subconscious is now actively activated by what-ifs. You dare to dream the impossible, and if you focus on your vision without a waiver of energy and attention, it eventually turns to reality.

Remove Fear

“If you limit your choices only to what seems possible or reasonable, you disconnect yourself from what you truly want, and all that is left is a compromise.”
— Robert Fritz

To envision yourself in your highest potential, you must be able to remove fear. Doubt, which is a form of fear, can cause you to limit your life vision. You hold yourself back. You cave in because you start to believe what your skeptical friends say.

You would not want to shortchange yourself because of doubt. Psychological fear, which is really False Evidence Appearing Real, can be addressed. Hence, do not be afraid to set a big vision. As Napolean Hill of the best-selling classic Think and Grow Rich said, “whatever the mind can think and conceive, it can achieve.”

Align with Higher Purpose

“The purpose of life is to live a life of purpose.”
- Richard Leider

You discover an inner strength that you have not known before when your life vision is aligned with the higher purpose of serving the community. Your desire to serve arises from the unconditional love in your heart. The vibrational state of your being rises accordingly. It is also how you activate the Law of Attraction to work in your favor.

An aligned life vision naturally receives support from the universe. You will receive a wealth of spiritual resources, unsolicited help and unexpected connections. Others who know about the benefit that you are intending to bring will want to render their assistance. A vision based on collective energy is bound to succeed.

Inspires Action

“An ounce of action is worth a ton of theory.”
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

If any life vision is going to bear results, action is needed. It does not matter how well laid the plans are, or intention, or even have a desire so strong it could light a camp fire. Without taking action, nothing will happen.

Perhaps the greatest pitfall where it comes to taking action is many people simply cannot figure out where to begin. But this is where having a vision that inspires action comes in handy. You do not have to worry excessively about the how to bring it about, though.

If you know the exact goal, start by visualizing the end result. With that end result in mind, simple start going backward from it, and the actions to take will reveal themselves. Of course, there will be times that things do not easily fall into place. That is fine, it is more important to get started. Once you have taken some actions towards your vision, later steps will become known.

Examples of Personal Life Vision

Your vision statement can be made up of single power words or one or two sentences. Most importantly, it has to be authentic. This means that you must feel a connection with it. It cannot be what someone else say it “should” be. Rather, it must matter to you.

The following is an example of a vision that I have:
My vision is to assist others with loving themselves in mind-body-spirit, so that they can become empowered to live their best life yet.

We can also adapt from the visions of well-known leaders and founders of big corporations in order to create personal ones for ourselves. Here is the one by McDonald’s founder…

“McDonald’s vision is to be the world’s best quick service restaurant experience. Being the best means providing outstanding quality, service, cleanliness, and value, so that we make every customer in every restaurant smile.”

The end goal of making others smile is certainly a great vision to have

Share Your Life Vision
Do you have a life vision? What are you working towards? Please share in the comments below.

Abundance always,

Author. Adventurer. Life Coach. More About Me.

I am no expert on the Chinese zodiac signs but I have been reading up on the Year of the Water Dragon. I thought it will be interesting to find out what the New Year heralds for us. 2012, being the Year of the Dragon, is an auspicious year to begin with. It starts from January 23, 2012 and ends February 9, 2013.

While it occupies the 5th position of the 12 zodiac signs, the Dragon is the mightiest of all signs. A mystical beast, it is the symbol of the emperor in China. Thus, it is connected with royalty and richness. The Dragon loves to do things on a grand scale – big ideas, big picture and visionary.

Being a Dragon Year, things are expected to be magnified this year. This also means that regardless of what zodiac sign you are, you are likely to experience events of major proportions in 2012. On a personal level, successes can either be spectacular leaps or crashes.

There had previously been numerous alarming predictions that 2012 would bring about the end of the world. However, many now say that the “running out of numbers” of the Mayan calender had simply meant the end of an old era and the beginning of a new more conscious one. In fact, conscious awakening has already been taking place and accelerating in recent years. So there is no need for panic!

Notwithstanding, from a Feng Shui perspective, the year of the Yang Water Dragon offers possibilities for good fortune. The element of the Dragon is wood. Water supposedly nourishes wood. In the year of the Water Dragon, the water will nourish wood. Thus, this generally means that the Dragon will soar. Even though the stock market is likely to be unpredictable (just like the unpredictable nature of a mystical beast), there could be opportunities to venture into.

The Dragon is historically associated with great festivities. Hence, expect lots of celebrations in the year. This makes 2012 the great for starting new businesses, launching new projections, engagements, weddings and baptisms. With the Water Dragon, ideas are expected to flow easily like the rush of water. The Dragon is associated with Spring. Therefore, spring is the best time for anything new that you hope to celebrate or get into.

The Chinese love to have babies in the Year of Dragon. It was not because I wanted a Dragon baby but my elder daughter, Hui, was coincidentally born one. She was born before CNY in year 2001. However, that was the year of Metal Dragon. Water Dragons occur every 60 years.

Metal dragons are known to be courageous, determined, obstinate and can be unyielding as a leader. On the other hand, for the Water Dragon, it is said that Water will cool down the fearless temperament of the Dragon. This causes the Dragon to take a step backwards in order to gain a better perspective. Additionally, it also does not desire the spotlight like other Dragons. So if you like the sound of a baby Water Dragon, this is a great year to have one!

You may be interested to know that famous personalities born in the year of the Water Dragon include Gregory Peck, Cliff Richard, Jeffrey Archer, Michael Barrymore, Neil Diamond, Matt Dillon, Placido Domingo, Kirk Douglas, Michael Douglas, Julie Christie, James Coburn, Marlene Dietrich, Tom Jones, John Lennon, Nick Nolte, Al Pacino, Elaine Paige, Martin Sheen, Ringo Starr, Shirley Temple.

Power Word for 2012

Last year, I selected three power words for intention setting: integration, inter-alignment, and patience. Bearing in mind that 2012 is also the Year of the Water Dragon, I have decided to choose the word “vision” as the driving intent for the new year.

“Dream lofty dreams, and as you dream, so shall you become. Your Vision is the promise of what you shall one day be. Your Ideal is the prophecy of what you shall at last unveil.”
— James Allen

Whether this is going to turn out to be a year of challenges or not, let’s be guided by the vision of a higher calling. Visioning propels us to bring our dreams forward. And so, for the next 12 months, I will be publishing more articles on visioning, dreaming, success, leadership, and purpose.

Chinese New Year begins on January 23, 2012. Traditionally, it lasts for 15 days. It is a time for feasting, visiting friends, and get-togethers. I will also be catching up with relatives from overseas too. My schedule is already packed with planned outings. Thus, I hope to be back on my blog only the end of next week.

To all my readers, have a Happy and Prosperous New Year! May you meet with breathtaking success in The Year of the Water Dragon!

Fly and soar magnificently,

Author. Adventurer. Life Coach. More About Me.

Share Your Power Word

A power word is the single intention driver to what you hope to achieve for the year. What is yours for 2012? Please share it.

When you love your life, everything works. You become happy. There is a skip in your walk, a song in your heart, a shine in your aura, a joy in your being. Others are attracted to you. You find yourself supported by the universe. Success, invariably, becomes easy.

(See Tip #100 below)

Just imagine if the opposite is true. Life appears bleak and that there is nothing to live for. And you believe that you are right in holding on to the pessimistic view: your life sucks. You have enough evidence to prove that life has little or no meaning. Everything has been a struggle so far.

Obviously, you want to lead a life that is worth living. For one, love makes it worthwhile. It gives life meaning. You become alive. There are many ways to love life. Here are 101 suggestions….

Life without love is like a tree without blossom and fruit.
- Kahlil Gibran

1. Do work that you love. If you spend a big part of your day at work, it is important to do work that you love. Otherwise you will lose out to someone else who will love the same work. When you do work that you love, you increase the chance of success because you are passionate and have greater determination to succeed.

2. Stop self-criticism. When you are no longer attacking yourself, you will experience acceptance even of your faults and imperfections. Ultimately, you learn to love for yourself.

3. Be positive. It is hard to love life if you have a negative attitude. When you adopt a positive attitude, life changes in its meaning for you.

4. Count your blessings. When you count your blessings, you automatically remember that there are lots of things to be thankful about. Start a gratitude journal.

5. Be in touch with nature. It is possible to forget there is more to life than just your office cubicle. Go for a walk, play on the beach, watch the sunset and so on. Being in touch with nature helps you to connect with your soul.

6. Dream. If you no longer allow yourself to dream, you are living a dull existence. Dreaming keeps hope alive.

7. Travel the world. Traveling the world opens up your world. You become aware that there is life beyond the border and that there are many interesting places and people all over the world.

8. Paint. When you paint, life comes to a standstill. You are an artist involved in creative work, in the moment of now.

9. Sing. Singing puts you in touch with your soul. You sing in celebration of who you are.

10. Believe in yourself. When you have self-belief, you know that you have what it takes to build a great life for yourself. You are not feeling helpless, hopeless and weak.

11. Do inner work. Stop moping. If there is something that you do not like about yourself, either accept or change yourself. Use Emotional Freedom Technique for inner work.

12. Volunteer. When you serve humanity by volunteering, you discover purpose. Purpose gives your life meaning.

It is not what we get. But who we become, what we contribute… that gives meaning to our lives.
- Tony Robbins

13. Find work/life balance. If you are not having work/life balance, chances are you won’t enjoy your life. Find the balance that works well for your well-being.

14. Be curious. Adopt a child-like curiosity towards life. Be willing to go out and explore. You will discover treasures when you open your eyes.

15. Play. It is easy to forget about play when life centers on work, work and work. Introduce some play.

16. Be a lifelong learner. Learning does not stop even though you have graduated from school. A love for learning keeps you inspired, motivated and going.

17. Be open to possibility. Holding on to old ideas stunt your growth. Allow your paradigm to expand with the question: what-if.

18. Make a difference. When you know that your creations can make a difference to someone else’s life, you become alive. You desire to give your very best.

And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.
– Abraham Lincoln

19. Demonstrate courage. Overcome your fears with courage. You discover that you have great inner strength to meet the vagaries of life. Be bold!

20. Address your self-love issues. It is hard to love life if you do not love yourself, to begin with. Learn to love yourself unconditionally and fully. Check out my book Self-Love Secrets >>>

21. Address your self-esteem issues. When you are feeling worthless, you are in the trap of “I am not good enough”. Address your self-esteem issues and you will love life a lot more!

22. Stand up for yourself. You don’t stand a chance if you allow yourself to be bullied. Let go of toxic relationships. Learn to stand up for your values.

23. Accept responsibility for your life. Stop playing the victim and take charge. Thus, take an active role in the steering of your ship.

24. Celebrate every occasion. Take the opportunity to celebrate every opportunity you get. Of course, many special holiday occasions have become commercialized over the years. But that should not stop you from enjoying the spirit of it. You can choose to celebrate it in a meaningful rather than an extravagant way.

25. Take up photography. Taking photos compels you to notice the many things around you. You stop to take in the details. You realize that there is much about life to behold.

26. Be big-picture. Don’t sweat the small stuff. See things from a bigger perspective.

27. Smile. When you smile at life, life smiles back at you. Smiling is a great way of lighting the world around you and generating a positive response in return.

28. Be spontaneous. It is easy to lose a sense of spontaneity when you are caught in habit patterns. Be spontaneous – seize the moment.

29. Go for your dreams. You will live in regret if you do not give yourself the chance of going for your dreams.

30. Change the size of your dreams. Avoid limiting yourself with a small dream. As best-selling author to the book, Rich Dad Poor Dad, Robert Kiyosaki, says, “If you want to change who you are, begin by changing the size of your dream. Even if you are broke, it does not cost you anything to dream of being rich. Many poor people are poor because they have given up on dreaming.”

31. Be successful. The more successful you are, the more likely you are to love your life. Success is a state of mind, rather than what you have acquired as possessions.

32. Surround yourself with loving people. Obviously, when you are surrounded by people who constantly put you down, it will be harder for you to feel good about yourself. Consider hanging around people who are positive, caring and compassionate.

33. Forgive your enemies. Avoid getting stuck in the past. Forgive your enemies and move on.

“To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.”
Lewis B. Smedes

34. Practice mindfulness Become more present by practicing mindful awareness over your thoughts, emotions and actions. You learn to stop old and limiting habitual patterns. You no longer react unwisely. Loving your life involves living wisely.

35. Stop complaining. When you complain, you are really focusing on your lack. You also blame others for the plight that you are in. It indicates your unwillingness to take responsibility.

36. Stop arguing. Peace arises when there are no more conflicts in your surroundings. Stop pointing fingers and pushing blame and you will find more love with the people around.

37. Exercise regularly. You become healthy and fit through regular exercise. You are taking care of your body. Great health, after all, is wealth.

38. Eat healthy meals. When you eat healthily, you naturally feel better about yourself. Eating junk food brings down your energy levels.

39. Stop addictions. Addictive behavior can rob you of vital life essence. Giving up on your addictions allows you to take charge. You are back in control.

40. Adopt self-care. Undertake self-care and love your life.

41. Do things that make you happy. Find out what activities makes you happy. Do more of these activities for more happy moments.

42. Cultivate a spiritual connection. For some, this means connecting with God or Jesus or Allah or Buddha. For others, it just means being in touch with your inner being. Cultivating a spiritual connection can bring more meaning into your life.

43. Fulfill your bucket list. Your aim is to check off as many items on your bucket list as possible. You check off each item upon its accomplishment. Find out more about bucket list here >>

44. Learn from your mistakes. So everyone makes mistakes. You are human after all. Rather than inflicting self-punishment, look at mistakes as learning experiences.

Experience is simply the name we give our mistakes.
- Oscar Wilde

45. Apply feng shui. Feng shui is a way of balancing the energies of you in relation to your environment. Apply feng shui to increase your abundance, love and wealth.

46. Connect with your intuition. Connecting with your intuition allows you to access an inner resource for empowered living.

47. Go on adventures. Here is good motto to go on: My life is one big adventure; I live it well.

48. Cultivate healthy relationships. Take time to cultivate healthy relationships. When your relationships are healthy, you discover that there is more love in your life.

49. Make your life an art. Make your life come alive by incorporating creativity. Introduce elements of beauty, style and design into everything that you are and do.

50. Be open to receiving. Do not be too quick to reject gifts and blessings, such as compliments, from others. Be open to receive to allow more abundance in your life.

51. Be authentic. It always pays to live with authenticity rather than wear a mask. When you are authentic, you are not putting up false appearances. You are not lying to yourself. You are feeling connected with your inner being.

52. Relax. Reduce stress by allocating time for relaxation. It is hard to love your life when you are constantly tensed.

53. Meditate every day. Meditating for 15 minutes a day can help reduce stress levels. You are better able to calm your mind. Being at peace lays the foundation for love.

54. Spend your life with that special someone. Your life is filled with love when you spend it with life that special someone who loves you for who you are. Your burdens are lighter because there is now someone to share them with.

55. Add more color into your life. Black may be classic but adding a dash of color can shift your energy. Consider updating your wardrobe with more color.

56. Get support from others. Life can appear dreary if you believe that you are all alone handling your problems. Learn to ask for help.

57. Begin each day with a fresh start. Start each day on a fresh slate. Don’t let what happened yesterday or in the past hold you back from living anew.

58. Rejoice often. Rejoice in being alive, well, and in abundance. Celebrate the start of a new day; it is another opportunity to learn, grow and love. Rejoice at the end of each day for having lived it well.

59. Create your own luck. As former President Thomas Jefferson once said, “I am a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have it.”

60. Embrace change. Nothing stays constant. When you embrace change, you learn to flow with life. You unstuck yourself from holding on to outdated patterns.

61. Let go of worry. When you let go of worry, you become more light-hearted. You are no longer weighed down by anxiety. Learn about detecting daily anxiety symptoms here.

62. Remind yourself with inspirational quotes. Consider reprograming your mind with constant positive reminders. Subscribe to the posts on my Facebook Page: Abundance Tapestry.

63. Live in the moment. If you are living in the moment, your mind is not in the past nor in the future. Being present allows you to live the moment fully.

Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.
- Buddha

64. Take ownership. Instead of letting external events run your life, take charge. When you are responsible for your own happiness, you will find more ways to love your life.

65. Adopt the 80/20 rule. Focus your energies on what is important. Time is too short to spend on things that ultimately do not matter much to you. Live a life that matters.

66. Physically declutter. Holding on to too many things clutters up your life. A physical cleanse automatically allows you to feel lighter. You also gain increased clarity.

67. Have a buffet. Savor the various cuisines of different countries. Delight in the diversity of life through gastronomy.

68. Switch off the TV. There is more to life than just sitting on the couch and watching soap operas on TV whenever you are free. There are many suggestions in this article on what you can do.

69. Stop spending excessive time on Social Media. Being on Facebook or Twitter can be addictive. You can waste a lot of your precious time by checking up on your exes or enemies. Unplug regularly.

70. Go outside. Don’t stay cooped up in your house. Shut down your PC and go out in the rain or sunshine. Experience life.

71. Simplify your life. Avoid complicating your life by taking on more stuff that you can handle. Simplifying your life allows you the space to breathe.

72. Spend time with your children. Children are great teachers. They show you how to live in the moment fully. Spend time playing and having fun with them.

73. Get a coach. If you are going through a difficult period, don’t hesitate to hire a coach. A coach can provide the proper guidance for overcoming your challenges and facilitate some positive perspectives. Contact me if you need more information about coaching services.

74. Release your attachment. Pain can be inevitable at times but suffering is entirely optional. To be free of suffering, practice non-attachment.

75. Manage your finances. It can be hard to enjoy life if you are not able to meet your loan instalments. Live within your means and learn to manage your finances well.

76. Give yourself a treat. Don’t wait for the perfect moment to be happy. Give yourself treats along the way.

77. Cultivate new interests. Cultivating new interests puts you in touch with the options that life has to offer.

78. Have fun. Having more fun allows you to enjoy life. Tell jokes, play games and find creative ways to do things that are routine.

79. Overcome perfectionism. When you hold yourself to unreasonably high standards, you find it tough to relax and go easy on the self. You can still strive for excellence but do not allow your desire for perfection cripple you. Read more about overcoming perfectionism here.

80. Stop procrastinating. Don’t let fear hold you back from taking action. Address your fears with Emotional Freedom Technique >>>

81. Be a leader. It is time to step up the game. Instead of being a team follower, take on a leadership role. Becoming a leader stretches your comfort zone. However, the more you live in discomfort, the more you grow.

82. Live life on your own terms. It is time to stop seeking other people’s approval about things concerning your life. You need to know what your guiding principles are and live them accordingly.

83. Keep a balanced perspective. When you adopt a balanced perspective, you are less critical and judgmental. You become more loving and all encompassing. You also realize that there is a place for everyone.

“Both optimists and pessimists contribute to our society. The optimist invents the airplane and the pessimist the parachute.”
- Gil Stern

84. Go on a hot air balloon. Take a scenic tour of planet Earth on a hot air balloon. You get a bird’s eye view of the magnificence of the world.

85. Go parasailing. Parasailing is an alternative to going on a hot air balloon. It can be lots of fun too!

86. Pay it forward. Pay it forward with a random act of kindness. You find life more meaningful because you are spreading love.

87. Spruce up. Spruce up and give your energy an uplift.

88. Gain knowledge. A thirst for knowledge keeps your brain active.

Beauty isn’t worth thinking about; what’s important is your mind. You don’t want a fifty-dollar haircut on a fifty-cent head.
- Garrison Keillor

89. Slow down. When you slow down, you see more. 100%.

90. Eat chocolate ice-cream. I don’t know anyone who does not love chocolate ice-cream. Then again, eat in moderation. Yummy!

91. Blow soap bubbles. Blowing soap bubbles may sound like kiddy fun but it conjures joy.

92. Fly a kite. Seeing your kite take off is like launching your dream.

93. Swing on a swing. Do you find yourself lightening up when you go on the swing in the playground? It is like you can reach the sky. I notice the exuberance of my daughter whenever she swings high.

94. Have a vision. Without a vision, it is possible to go around in cycles. Visioning helps you to bring your dreams of abundance forward.

95. Focus on what you want. Maintain your focus on what you want rather than what you do not.

96. Review your life. Review your life by looking through your photo album. You will realize that there has been many happy moments and things to be grateful about.

97. Publish a book. Many people have the dream of publishing a book. Writing a book is meaning making.

98. Work smart. Find ways to working smart rather than working long. Look for ways to increase your productivity and efficiency constantly.

99. Develop compassion. Develop loving compassion both for yourself and for those around. You are being gentle. Love begats love. You eventually also discover that life is also gentle towards you.

100. Make an intent. Make the intent to love your life. Live according to the motto by Ashley Smith: “Life is full of beauty. Notice it. Notice the bumble bee, the small child, and the smiling faces. Smell the rain, and feel the wind. Live your life to the fullest potential, and fight for your dreams.”

101. Cultivate abundance consciousness. When you cultivate abundance consciousness, you rest in the knowing that your life is and will be full. Because of the deep inner knowing, you love life fully.

Loving Life Fully

I was once headed for depression. I could not cope with the stress of having quit a well-paying job, becoming a first time parent, not doing well in my ventures and relationship issues with my husband all at the same time (I shared more about these in both my books, Abundance Alchemy and Self-Love Secrets). Luckily, I managed to pick myself up. It has been a major turnaround ever since.

As I review the points I have written in this post, I realize that I have already been applying almost every single one of them. I am true to my vision of creating a life that I’d love and that will matter. It is a life filled with purpose, presence and passion.

What about you? What has helped you love your life?

Abundance always,

Author. Adventurer. Life Coach. More About Me.

The New Year offers an opportunity to start things on a fresh slate. It is the period for letting go of the old to make way for the new. If you have been going round in circles previously, it is time to let go of the energies that have kept you stuck. If you have been distracted along the way last year, it is time to once again set your priorities straight.

Thus, the turn of a new year represents hope. Hope is energy that renews you. It is an infusion of energy that moves you forward. Your eyes sparkle with promise when you have hope. Hope makes you come alive.

There are many ways that you can start the New Year on a positive note. Some may involve days of thinking over, whereas others a physical action. Here are 21 of my favorite ones:

1. Create a Vision Board. Making a vision board allows you the opportunity to clarify the picture in your mind that you would like to manifest. You are to ask yourself what it is that you truly want. Applying visioning techniques thereafter, helps you set the energetic alignment that will bring your dream forward. (Need to learn more? Look out for more articles on visioning in the weeks to follow.)

2. Clear out the Physical Clutter. Get rid of the clutter, in order to make space for the new. There is no way that you can shift into a more positive state if you are saddled with old energies. Consider following the traditional custom of the Chinese. With good timing, the Chinese has the custom of cleaning up the household just prior to Chinese New Year. The first day of Chinese New Year (CNY) starts on January 23 this year and lasts for 15 days. Hence, all cleaning and clearing of clutter has to be made before the Eve of CNY.

3. Energy Cleanse.There is no better time to do some energy clearing work, if you are hoping to start things on a clean slate. Identify the blocks that keep you in resistance. Address these obstacles with Emotional Freedom Technique, Reiki, Quantum Touch or an Akashic Record Clearing.

4. Create an Affirmation or Positive Script.Write out a script of positive affirmations that you would like to repeat on a daily basis. The use of affirmations is a great way to help reframe your mind, especially if you are in the habit of cultivating negative thoughts. The more you repeat the affirmations, the more powerful their effect on you over time.

5. Create a Bucket List. A Bucket List is a list of items that you would like to accomplish before you “kick the bucket”. To get your bucket list going, read this article 111 Ideas for Your Bucket List. Thereafter, during the year, check off the items on your list as you complete them.

6. Make Healthy Meal Choices. If you have been making unhealthy food choices, it is time to make a change. Do not procrastinate your plan on eating well and properly. Your resolution can be as simple as “no more candy” or “limit fried foods to two times a week”.

7. Create an Exercise Plan. So you have been sitting on your couch after work, pretty much last year? Switch off your television, stop snacking on chips and get up to exercise. Incidentally, my hubby has getting results with the P90X program.

8. Sign Up for Some Self-Improvement Program.There are many programs that you can sign up for self-help and improvement. Here are some online ones that you can look into: Silva Life, Silva Intuition, Quantum Jumping or Chakra Healing.

9. Meditate. A meaningful way to start the new year is to meditate. Better yet, meditate in a group for extra vibrational power. Set up a healing circle. Send out loving energies to all. Make the intention for more love, joy and abundance for the new year.

10. Start a New Business. Economic downturns offer the best opportunity for starting a business. Costs such as rental, employee and materials are relatively cheaper. It may also be possible to get more tax breaks. If you have just been retrenched or thinking of a second career, the new year may just be the best time to get your new business idea going.

11. Celebrate with Champagne. Celebrate the new year on a joyous note. You can celebrate it with a party or just by being with your family. It does not matter if the previous year has turned out to be a lousy one. The past is already gone. You can learn from your mistakes. You start the new year with renewed vision.

12. Look into Feng Shui Elements. Learn to use Feng Shui on how you can improve your success, health and wealth. Maybe it is to do with shifting the position of your bed or putting a good luck charm in your living room.

13. Change the Color of Your Wardrobe. Start the new year by aligning with the energy of change. Used to wearing black or something dull? Well, add some color to your wardrobe this year. Experience a state shift when you play with colors.

14. Volunteer Your Time. A meaningful way to start the year is to spend time in the company of those who need some kindness and care. It may be home for the elderly, an orphanage or some charitable organization. You align with the vibration of love.

15. Be a Sponsor. Consider sponsoring someone who is less fortunate as you. The idea is to provide a specific person with resources to break free from his or her limiting circumstances. Naturally, you do it unconditionally and not expecting anything back in return.

16. Journal. Journaling is a great way to keep records about your thoughts or feelings. The process offers you emotional release. Having written records also allows you the opportunity to review the changes that you have made and to track your self-improvement progress over time.

17. Propose. Maybe you have been holding off for a while but it now time to think longer time. Bring your relationship to the next level by proposing to the person of your dreams. Make plans to start a life together. (I got this tip from my brother, who is getting married in the new year!)

18. Practice Forgiveness. Give the year a loving start by forgiving those with whom you have borne a grudge. Forgiveness releases you from the toxic energies of hatred. It heals you by reconnecting you back with the present, allowing you to experience a new beginning.

19. Choose to be a Leader. Rather than remain in the background, it is time to step-up. Go beyond your discomfort zone and be a leader for a change. It is time to wing the job promotion that you have been hoping for but miss in the last year.

20. Start a Blog. Starting a blog is not as terrifying as it seems. Sure there is lots to learn and do. But there are also many tutorials out there with getting started. Just do a google search for “start an online business” or refer to this resourceful site, Problogger.

21. Love Yourself. My favorite tip of all. To be able to live fully in the new year, you really need to start by loving yourself. Start with some self-care actions. Best of all, beat years of self-criticism, self-rejection and self-denial by purchasing Self-Love Secrets.

Abundance always,

Author. Adventurer. Life Coach. More About Me.

Share Your Thoughts

“We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day.” – Edith Lovejoy Pierce

What are you intending to write in the book of Opportunity for the year? What ideas are you hoping to pursue?

I am no numerology expert but am told that today being 11.11.11 is a significant date. It is a significant date for starting new projects, leadership, pioneering, independence, self-awareness, consciousness, and mastery. Hence, set your intentions with visioning, sending out love and aligning with your dreams.

Whether or not you believe in the power of numbers, now is a good time to start if you have not already done so. Do it in any way you want – write out a list of intentions, create a vision board, make a prayer or say your affirmations.

“Every moment of your life is infinitely creative, and the universe is endlessly bountiful. Just put forth a clear enough request, and everything your heart truly desires must come to you.” – Shakti Gawain

However, should you already be having problems manifesting your desires, consider aligning with love first. Love has creative power. It gives you meaning in life. It is the vibration of abundance.

There is no better way to begin than to work on self-love especially if you have been putting yourself in resistance. Here is what Oprah Winfrey has to say….

What I know for sure is that your life is a multipart series of all your experiences- and each experience is created by your thoughts, intentions, and actions to teach you what you need to know. Your life is a journey of learning to love yourself first and then extending that love to others in every encounter.

Insufficient or the lack of success can hamper your ability to manifest abundance. Learn more by listening to the interview on Self-Love that I did with Angela Artemis over at Powered By Intuition >>>

“Change begins with you. Be a luminary of Love and Light.” – Evelyn Lim at Abundance Tapestry

Comments will be closed for today. I will be busy today with sending out my intentions too

There is a Buddhist saying that underscores the importance of persistence, “In the confrontation between the stream and the rock, the stream always wins – not through strength, but through persistence.” I like that it draws on nature to explain a fundamental idea on success.

(From my art journal: On practicing persistence)

Notwithstanding, if you have been reading personal development books, you will realize that persistence is an important key to a winning mindset. Repeatedly, you have been advised to follow up on your dream until you have attained success.

So you have been working on your dream for some time. However, somehow success is not in sight yet. Beginning to lose faith, you feel as if you are losing steam. It is not as if you have not summoned the courage to start on a new adventure. You have. Problem is that you have not anticipated the number of challenges that came along. It appears to be taking a long time. And now, you are tempted to give up.

The above scenario is a very common one. Many of us usually start with plenty of enthusiasm. In a rush of energy, we believe that we can conquer the world. However, as the everyday grind of working on our dream sets in, we find the ice-cream soda starting to lose its fizz, the ball its bounce and the perfume its fragrance. It can get weary sometimes. I can safely attest to that. Long hours at the laptop and at times, having to give up on social outings.

You already know that success does not always belong to the most intelligent, the most educated or the one with the most money. In fact, it belongs to those who come up tops in persistence. They show the most tenacity, strength and resilience. Persistence is dogged-determination. It is power. Persistence is the will to succeed, come what may. It is what separates the minority who eventually do succeed from the 90% majority who give up their dreams prematurely.

Three Feet from the Gold Ore

One of my favorite stories comes from Think and Grow Rich By Napolean Hill. In the story, a man was caught by the “gold rush” idea and went west to dig. After weeks of labor, he was rewarded by the discovery of the shining ore. However he needed machinery to bring the ore to the surface. So together with some friends and relatives, he raised enough money to buy the machinery.

The first car of ore brought the group some money. But he needed a few more cars of ore in order to clear his debts and to make a killing in profits. So they continued drilling. But to their dismay, they could not find any more ore. Finally, after trying very hard, they decided to quit. They sold the machinery to a junk man for a few hundred dollars.

The junk man called in a mining engineer to do a review. The engineer’s calculations showed that the vein of ore could be found just three feet from where the group had stopped drilling. And that was exactly where it was found! The junk man became a millionaire overnight, because he did not give up and was wise enough to seek expert counsel.

5 Tips to Practice Persistence

1. Be inspired by role models. Get inspired by reading stories of people who have succeeded at all odds. Anytime when you feel like giving up, pick up a book on success principles from the bookstore or the library. Don’t stop reading.

2. Get a supportive group of friends. Having a group of friends who are also working on their dreams can be helpful. You can encourage each other, exchange ideas, brainstorm and share resources.

3. Get a mentor. If you already know of someone who can be a good mentor, do not be afraid to ask. Choose someone with a proven track record and who is willing to share and listen.

If you have to, hire a coach to pace you while you are working on your dream. Hiring the right coach is money well spent. Work with your motivational coach to identify your obstacles and find creative ways round them.

4. Practice visioning. Visioning is keeping your mind focused on the desired dream or future. It is not a weekend exercise but one that you should constantly practice everyday. You keep yourself reminded in various ways: visualization, vision board, using positive affirmations, subliminal messaging and so on.

5. Connect with a higher purpose. You are likely to have greater perseverance if your vision is one that serves and elevates humanity. Because it is a worthy cause, your dream becomes a meaningful one. Thus, you are likely to discover that instead of feeling lethargic, you feel energized and ready to go at the start of each day. A vision that is connected with a higher purpose garners universal support. You will be amazed with the level of help that you receive.

What It Says on my Creative Art Journal

One of the pages on my art journal that I have done is a reminder about practicing persistence. On it, I have written three of my favorite sayings. They are…

“70% of success in life is showing up”.

“Before you give up, ask yourself: can you already be three feet from the gold from where you are?”

“Energy is the essence of life. Everyday, you decide how you’re going to use it by knowing what you want and what it takes to reach the goal, and by maintaining focus.” – Oprah Winfrey

Be The Stream

Drawing on what Buddha has said, be like the stream. The stream always flows, never stopping until it wins over the rock.

There is only one thing that can happen when you follow up on your dream. Your mindset is a positive one. Your determination to succeed is strong. You simply refuse to quit. Every day, you put your mind to doing what is needed for your dream; no matter how repetitive, routine and mundane the task appears to be. Persistence pays!

Abundance always,

Author. Adventurer. Life Artist. More About Me.

Share Your Challenges

In the comments below, do share what your challenges are when it comes to pursuing your dream and what success principles have worked for you.

Are you on your way to pursuing your inspired dreams? Have you thought about how awesome it would be if your dreams take flight? Or are you one of the vast majority of people who have given up on their dreams long time ago?

(Let our kite of dreams take flight)

It could be that you have once harbored the thought of becoming a ballerina, pilot, artist, singer or even the President when you were young. Most of these would have qualified for wishful thinking but there could have been the one or two that held the embers of your true desires.

As Brownie members in their school, my kids had gone on a kite-flying outing last Saturday. After they got home, I noted their grumpy faces and asked how the kite-flying went. They expressed their disappointment because their kites were not able to take off that day. Their remarks caused me to note the contrast in experience with another kite-flying outing we had made together some two years ago in the same location.

Back then, against the backdrop of the iconic Singapore Flyer, their kites had flown. There was a flurry of excitement as each kite took off into the open sky. My kids squealed away in delight when theirs started catching some wind. We were on a kite flying outing organized by their weekend meditation and dharma class. On individual kites, each child has written his or her desired dream. For a while, I had stood enraptured by the sight of colorful kites dancing across an open canvas.

As I watched the kites in the sky, I went back in time to the 19th century when two brothers had an idea which eventually became their passionate and consuming dream. On Friday December 17, 1903 at 10:35 AM, the Wright brothers (Wilbur and Orville) flew “the world’s first power-driven, heavier-than-air machine in which man made free, controlled, and sustained flight.” Their memorable feat took place at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina on a cold windy morning.

The Wright brothers serve as great role models. Their persistence paid off finally. They had encountered numerous failure before they eventually succeeded. Thanks to them, air travel to countries all over the world has been made possible. The benefits that air travel brought have been tremendous in terms of increased trade, reduced travel time and improved productivity levels.

Problems With Take-Off

Unlike the Wright Brothers, however, most of us douse our fires of enthusiasm over the years with regards to our dreams. We caved in to the commonly-held societal view that our seemingly far-fetched ideas were too impossible to achieve. We caved in because we felt that we needed to take safe options. We simply did not have enough belief in ourselves or these dreams.

Now that years have passed, we begin to look wistfully at those who have dared differently. We feel like a piece of us is missing. If we should now become present to the emptiness that we feel inside, we will realize that it has something to do with our forgotten hopes.

Some of us even try to influence our children with some of our unrealized dreams. Unfortunately, we also have been giving out mixed signals. We send our children for weekend classes on ballet, art, theatre and music but at the same time, we tell them not to pursue these as career paths because compared to being a banker, lawyer or doctor, they will make less money.

Never Too Late to Fly Your Dreams

But, would it too late to strive for our dreams? Would it be too difficult to revive the embers of our long forgotten desires after all these years?

“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.”
- C.S. Lewis

Two years ago, 47-year old Susan Boyle burst into the limelight singing the song, “I Dreamed a Dream” as a contestant in the “Britain’s Got Talent” show. Global interest in Boyle grew because of the marked contrast between her powerful voice and her plain and awkward appearance. In September 2010, Boyle was officially recognised by Guinness World Records as having had the fastest selling debut album by a female artist in the UK, the most successful first week sales of a debut album in the UK, and was also awarded the record for being the oldest person to reach number one with a debut album in the UK.

Susan Boyle offers us hope that it is never too late to pursue our dreams. There have been also others who have made it to the top at a time when most people are thinking of retiring. Colonel Sanders is another one. He made Kentucky Fried Chicken a country-wide name at the age of 62. Even after he sold his company, Mr. Sanders stayed on as company spokesman, promoting the chicken in folksy television commercials, until his death in 1980 at the age of 90.

Fly Your Dreams

One of my favorite quotes is this…

“Dreams are like the paints of a great artist. Your dreams are your paints, the world is your canvas. Believing, is the brush that converts your dreams into a masterpiece of reality.”

My little daughter had written that “I want to be an artist when I grow up” on her kite. My elder daughter drew a big heart on her kite, with the thought of sharing her love with everyone. If these are the dreams they truly desire, I hope that they all come true. My wish for them is that their kites will always fly high!

And likewise, I wish the same for you. Should you have a dream that you hope to nurture, I wish you every success and abundance with it. Just remember it is never too late to start!

A Heartfelt Thank You

Lastly, a heartfelt thank you. I have been most astounded by the support that I have received to my last post on What Are You Manifesting. I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt appreciation. I know that I would not have gotten this far, without everyone’s contribution by virtue of being on this site. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Abundance always,

Author. Adventurer. Life Artist. More About Me.

Share Your Dream

In the comments below, do share what your dream is. Have you been working on it? Are you allowing yours to take flight?

You are hoping for a makeover. You would like to change your vibes. Life has been quite a drag for some time. So it only makes sense that if you are hoping to have different results, you cannot keep doing the same things.

A true makeover goes beyond revamping your wardrobe. It is more than fixing a bad hair day. A true makeover is holistic, incorporating the mind-body-spirit. Your energy shifts as a result. It activates the Law of Attraction in your favor, where you are more likely to attract positive outcomes.

With an energy-lifting makeover, your inner light shines through. The effects are permanent. Your boomz factor lasts. You grow into the changes. It is not cosmetics that you wash off every night before you go to bed.

So give yourself a top-to-toe treatment. Step out in style with the following 20 tips:

1. Self-Acceptance Secret Formula. Let’s start off by learning from Vietnamese monk and spiritual teacher, Thich Nhat Hanh. He says, “To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don’t need to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself.” You accept yourself unconditionally even when you have bodily flaws or imperfections that you would prefer to hide. The practice of self-acceptance puts you in harmony, from the inside-out.

2. Celebrate You! In case you have forgotten, you are very unique. You have got gifts, talents and abilities in a combination that others do not have. Play up on your strengths. They are not meant to be hidden. They are meant to make you Shine!

3. Step Up Your Bold Factor. Challenge yourself everyday. Dare to take risks, although not the dangerous or foolish ones, but those that place you out of your comfort zone. Trying something different gets you out of your rut and fills your life with interesting experiences.

4. Put on New Shades. Throw away your old pair of spectacles that have you looking at things with fear, rigidity and resistance. Instead put on a new set of shades. View things from a loving lens. In other words, adopt a more positive attitude. Be open to possibilities.

5. Wear An Invisible Crown. Shimmer with an invisible crown. Perk up your confidence, in other words. If you have been suffering from low self-esteem, consider doing something about it. Go for therapy sessions, learn public speaking or attend workshops.

6. Make Gratitude Your New Mantra. The more you practice saying gratitude, the more your vibes will change. The act of expressing gratitude tunes you into joy immediately. Give yourself an instant perk!

7. Summer Splash. You will be surprised of how a change in color can alter your mood. An easy way to start is by changing the color of your clothes and underwear even. Watch your mood change from the usual somber black that you have been wearing for years. Make a splash with vibrancy from this summer on!

8. De-Stress With Scent. Use aromatherapy to help improve your state of mind. Aromatherapy is a form of alternative therapy that uses volatile plant materials, known as essential oils, and other aromatic compounds. Lavender for instance helps to reduce stress and improve sleep.

9. Less is More. De-clutter to give yourself an energy boost. You will be amazed how you will feel after a thorough spring clean – whether physical or emotional. For emotional clearing work, consider using Emotional Freedom Technique.

10. More is Less. More laughter in your life leads to less stress. This tip recommends loosening up, telling jokes and watching hilarious movies!

11. Dazzle with a Smile. You don’t need layers of make-up to look fabulous. You just need to smile more. Start the day with a smile at yourself in the mirror. Then, go dazzle others with your smiles throughout the day. As Charles Gordy says, “a smile is an inexpensive way to change your looks.”

12. Flower Power. Power up with having more flowers in your life. Go smell the roses whether in the park or decorate your home with flowers. Notice your energy change when you are near flowers.

13. You Can Dance. Dancing lifts your spirit. You feel energized. For some sexy mojo, consider joining classes to learn pole, belly or flamenco dancing.

14. Shine With Purpose. Instead of complaining about your lack, seeing others in more desperate situations can lend you a bigger perspective. Hence, some volunteer work can give you a sense of purpose. You feel moved to help others. Suddenly, you find your life having meaning.

15. Brush Up Your Knowledge. Not just brushing your hair, skin or body, brush up for your mind too. Read books that will enhance your knowledge. Weepy novels and horror stories don’t count.

16. Water Works. Can you be feeling sluggish because you have not been drinking enough water? If so, the answer is to hydrate. Drink at least 7 to 8 glasses of water every day. Drinks like coffee or orange juice do not count. Sufficient hydration shows up in supple skin and slows down ageing effects.

17. Balance Your Diet. Many of us can do with a lot less meat in our diet. Consider including a combination of fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, all sources of necessary vitamins and minerals. Eating a balanced diet can do wonders for your overall well-being.

18. Support with Supplements. It is best to get your requirements from natural food sources. However, if you find yourself lacking, give yourself extra support with vitamin supplements. Check with your doctor on what is needed for supplements.

19. Have A Dream. Of course, your eyes are dull. You have not been connecting with your true dream. It is time to revive rather than shove it aside. Start working on it. Your dream will gain momentum, once you show commitment.

20. Go Zen. This tip is about exuding the aura of peace, harmony and tranquility through meditation. Zen meditation is a Japanese school, of 12th-century Chinese origin, that teaches on the contemplation of one’s essential nature for achieving pure enlightenment. There are also other forms of meditation that you can consider. It may take you months or more likely, years. But the results are long-lasting and worth it.

21. Above All, Love Yourself. You may find her taste in fashion odd and her performances controversial but there is something that we can learn from the lady who sold 15 million copies in her debut album. Pop phenomena, Lady Gaga, shared it when she was interviewed on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. The Secret: “Love yourself. Love who you are. It’s all you’ve got.”

True Beauty

Beauty goes beyond skin-deep. You don’t need chunks of jewelry, designer gowns and branded handbags to define you. If you have got a poor attitude towards life, then no expensive gear can make you feel really awesome. You are in delusion if you believe that all that glitter is true gold.

In other words, shine from your core essence; not just from personality. Allow me to end off by quoting from a poem, with authorship variously attributed to Maya Angelou, Ralph Fenger, Audrey Hepburn & Sam Levenson:

The Beauty of A Woman
The beauty of a woman
isn’t in the clothes she wears,
The figure that she carries,
or the way she combs her hair.

It’s the caring that she cares to give,
the passion that she shows;
And the beauty of a woman
with passing years only grows.

Shine from the Soul,

Author. Adventurer. Life Artist. More About Me.



Share Your Makeover Tip
Share your makeover tip in the comments below. What has helped you raise your vibes? What has helped you create magic?

To fulfill our visions, we need to be bold. We need to be able to let go of our fears. Boldness is the magic brew that spurs us on to venture beyond known territories, undertake new adventures, and make bigger dreams. A healthy dose of boldness is required if we want our lives to change. It is the kickstart to living a life of being free from fear.

(A Scrapbook Page that I made last year, reminding me about being bold)

I cannot claim to be completely fearless. In fact, on several occasions, I had quivered in nervousness, shook on my knees and spent countless sleepless nights due to anxiety. But over and over again, I had plucked up courage; ready to take on new adventures. So what has helped me become bold during such times? What tips can I share with you?

7 Ways to Being Bold

1. Choose To Embody Aliveness. The thing with me is that I love challenges. So even while I feel the fear, I go ahead anyway. The dread of not being alive outweighs the frustration of being stuck in a numbing comfort zone. Hence, I put myself on all kinds of adventures and hmmm…sometimes recklessly too.

I remember the time when I sailed single handled in the open sea, despite having insufficient practice in reading wind directions. I sailed from the shore, without knowing how to turn my boat back. Obviously I had to be rescued when my boat capsized. It would have been nice to end the adventure with a flourish by being rescued with a dashing hero. Except that I was saved by a grumpy friend who was unhappy that I took a risk.

I am not suggesting that you get careless and take unsound risks. However, you would need to make a choice in how you would like to live. The questions you need to ask yourself are: What happens if you don’t start a new adventure, undertake an exciting project or choose to live differently? How would you feel 10, 20 or 30 years down the road? But what happens if you do? Make the choice to feel alive, if you don’t want to live a life of regrets.

2. Let Go of Wanting Perfection. Many of us want to look perfect. We have got important self images to protect. We would like to have the perfect plan before we proceed on an adventure. We like to do long calculations, detailed strategizing, weigh our pros and cons endlessly, and make massive backup/recovery plans. We want to know that our plans won’t fail us. And then we won’t also look like failures.

Well, avoid wanting things to be 100% perfect. It’s your ego that is wanting you to look successful, complete and secure. Refrain from getting paralyzed by what it says. Instead, be bold. Brace yourself for more exciting and wonderful things to happen!

3. Work on Your Beliefs. You are probably fearful because you believe that you can’t. However, if you believe that you can’t, then it becomes a self fulfilling prophecy. But what if you believe the opposite? What if you program yourself to take on new beliefs? Since beliefs are made from thoughts, it is possible to change your thoughts to make new beliefs.

4. Do Something Differently for a Change. Do something that you don’t usually do. Go beyond your comfort zone. For instance, wear something flaming red instead of your usual somber black. Or ask someone out for a change, instead of waiting endlessly for the phone to ring.

5. Try A Sporting Activity That Requires Guts. Some sports or activities require you to first have courage. You will invariably feel inspired when you are able to do them.

Let me share my story. For years, I have been afraid of being in water. Reason being that I am not a good swimmer. However, in my early adult years, I decided that I did not wish to live with the fear any longer. I took up a bunch of seasports in succession: sailing, water-skiing, wakeboarding, wind surfing and diving. I realized that once I got the adrenalin going, things got easier and easier.

Having such experiences can offer positive anchoring states. When you do visualizations for future situations, recall these past experiences to help you shift into confidence and courage.

6. Read Stories of Heroes or Heroines. Get inspired by the stories of heroes or heroines. All of them have displayed some form of courage. Have pictures of these people on our vision boards. They are our role models. They are our defining images. They are our beacons of hope.

7. Be Inspired by a Higher Vision. When you feel drawn to a higher calling, you would naturally find yourself wanting to be bold. I noticed that boldness was chosen as a desired energy to align with by a few of the participants during my Vision Board Mastery Workshop last Saturday.

“When you weave passion into the higher vision of bringing meaning into the lives of others, you revive a power that you have not previously accessed. As in the hero archetype, you find yourself being able to command the wind, quell a storm, deliver an air-bending move and destroy a terrifying enemy. Gold is the meaning through which you shine with purpose.”
— Abundance Alchemy: Journey of Gold

Happy International Women’s Day

I would like to wish all female readers a Happy International Womens Day. In honor of this day, let me share about the Archetype of the Heroine who has the energetic qualities of courage, feminine power and self awareness…

The heroine has an inner journey to take, in addition to the outer one. The inner journey of the heroine follows her courageous path of going perilously towards her center, of experiencing death before the rebirth, and that takes her from limitation to freedom. The questions that she asks are universal, including: “What happens when I die?” “How can I be happy” and the more elusive “Who am I?” At the very core, the journey is about the paradoxical discovery that she is the mystery that she seeks to know. The metaphoric journey ultimately culminates in the resurrection of the self and reawakening of her spirit.
– Excerpt from Abundance Alchemy: Journey of Gold

Share Your Story of Boldness
Do share your story or tips on being bold. Help to inspire others with what happened.

Living Boldly, Authentically and Abundantly,

Need some tips to create a more powerful and effective vision board? Well, I have just completed a report “30 Vision Board Tips” that you can have for free.

In case you don’t already know, I am a certified Vision Board Counselor. After having completed the course one year ago, I spent a lot of my spare time using my creative skills doing boards, affirmation cards and life coaching materials. More importantly, I continued to study the visioning process and have been learning from a few coaches. I have laid some of the tips I have gathered – both as a result from learning and applying them diligently myself – in this report.

If you are already a subscriber to my newsletter, you should get it in your mail pretty soon. If you are not already a subscriber, you can get it for free by clicking here – Download 30 Vision Board Tips Free Report.

Wishing you every visioning success,