It amazes and saddens me to see how much we as humans have lost - or simply never gained perhaps. We rely on so many things for our happiness and success, never achieving what we really want, when all the while, we have the power inside of each of us to shape our lives, our destinies, exactly the way we want.
All my life I've heard people talk about doing something or having something IF it's "God's will". "I will go to this school, if that's what God wants," "I will get this job, if that's what God wants," "I will overcome this disease, if it's God's will." Don't get me wrong, I'm not "knocking" the God-thing - whatever works for you - but it makes me want to shake people and say, wake up! You have the power inside of YOU to make your life the way YOU want it - and incidentally, there is nothing wrong with that! You deserve to be happy. You deserve to dream, and to see those dreams fulfilled.
So why do we settle for what someone else wants? Why do we feel guilty for choosing something that we really want, or for living our lives the way we really want? Why do we stay stuck in dead-end jobs, and abusive relationships? Why do we live in poverty, afraid to even suggest that maybe we should be seeking wealth? Did you know that you cannot have a full, happy and fulfilled life without money - and lots of it? Even if you want to save the world, help your community, do all those noble things, you still need money!!! But somehow money has become "evil", and poverty has become "blessed". We have fallen so very far from our full potential that most people don't even have a clue as to what their lives can really be.
Religion has played a huge part in this backwards attitude. Poverty is extolled and wealth is looked on as bad, if not downright evil. If you want to be wealthy, then "you have your priorities wrong". If you seek to do what you want, and to live the life that you want, then you are "selfish" or "not following God's will." Funny that no one ever clued in that just maybe, perhaps, God would want you to live the life you want and be happy? And just maybe, perhaps, God would like to see you rich in money, as well as other things?
We have so much potential! The power of the human brain is incredible when it comes to success, and setting goals and achieving them. Did you know that you can convince your subconscious mind that your life is a certain way and it will then do whatever it takes to make it so? Your brain is the most powerful computer in the world - but how many of us actually take advantage of it?
I want to challenge you to tap into that power today, to start to change your thinking and to realize that you can have what you want, and that you deserve to live a successful and fulfilled life, full of wealth and happiness. Know that you can accomplish absolutely anything that you put your mind to - and do it!
For more resources on this topic, check out "One Minute Millionaire" by Robert Allen and Mark Victor Hansen, "Goals!" by Brian Tracy, and "Secrets of Success" by Jack Canfield. And, if you get through those and want more, contact me, I can hook you up! Reach for the stars, if that's what you want, and don't give up until you have them!
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Monday, August 4, 2008
no one ever told me i could rope the moon
In fact they were all very good at discouraging even trying. There was reality, they said. Anything outside of their knowledge or experience was just fantasy. So you want to go to college? Great, no problem, we know you can do it. You can do whatever you want. But what if I want to rope the moon? Twirl that lasso around and around my head and out over the moon, pull it down, down until it kisses my face. Who says it can't be done? They all do.
But one day I did it. I heard them all around me saying, Get a real job, or You can't always live in a dream world, or Don't let your imagination get the best of you! And I shut them out, closed my eyes and took a breath, then began to twirl my lasso around my head. It swung out, out, out until it swished around the far side of the satellite. I tugged it snug and began to coax it down, romancing the moon. And it kissed my face, leaving a residue of other worldliness and a call in my heart.
No one ever told me I could rope the moon. Perhaps they just didn't know. But I always knew, in the part of me that is me, I knew that I could do anything I want. I knew that I had the potential and power to fly or shake the world. I knew I could rope the moon!
But one day I did it. I heard them all around me saying, Get a real job, or You can't always live in a dream world, or Don't let your imagination get the best of you! And I shut them out, closed my eyes and took a breath, then began to twirl my lasso around my head. It swung out, out, out until it swished around the far side of the satellite. I tugged it snug and began to coax it down, romancing the moon. And it kissed my face, leaving a residue of other worldliness and a call in my heart.
No one ever told me I could rope the moon. Perhaps they just didn't know. But I always knew, in the part of me that is me, I knew that I could do anything I want. I knew that I had the potential and power to fly or shake the world. I knew I could rope the moon!
Friday, June 13, 2008
photographity
I have discovered that I love photography. I thoroughly enjoy playing around with a camera, taking shots, capturing the artistic images I see every day. So I decided to start a collection of some of my favorite photographs to share with other artistic minded souls.
My collection can be viewed at http://www.tehjess.com. Enjoy!
My collection can be viewed at http://www.tehjess.com. Enjoy!
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
summer adventures
Summer has finally arrived and I had a chance to really soak it in on the weekend. Thursday I had lunch with Jon down by the river and watched the planes practicing for the Red Bull air race, then that evening we drove up to Port Dover to see his family, since his dad was having surgery. The scenery was great and the fresh air was even better. Got some great pictures and enjoyed getting out of Windsor! Was nice to meet some of his family as well.
Saturday and Sunday was the Red Bull air race, with the course set up on the Detroit River (between Detroit and Windsor, for those of you who don't know...). So we spent both afternoons down by the river, hanging out with some friends, having some drinks, and enjoying the airplanes. It was cancelled on Saturday, due to the wind, but was still fun to just hang out. Sunday had more action, with the races and some air show stuff - including a very cool helicopter show. Who would have thought that a helicopter could move like that? It was pretty neat.
So I spent a fair bit of time in the sun, and have a bit of a tan to show for it. It's a beautiful thing, and a good start for what I want to get during the rest of the summer. Yes, that's right, I'm going for not only a hot body from working out, but also a hot tan! Whoo hoo! Seriously, though, I looked in the mirror at the gym the other morning and just about couldn't' believe how good it's looking - my bod, that is. I haven't ever been in this great of shape, and I am LOVING it! It feels great to see and feel the muscles building and things "shaping" up.
Business is coming along, slowly but surely. Jon and I attended a networking event last night, and it looks like I will likely get a new client out of it. A lawyer, who would like to set up a website. Very coolness. Always exciting to get a new project!
Saturday and Sunday was the Red Bull air race, with the course set up on the Detroit River (between Detroit and Windsor, for those of you who don't know...). So we spent both afternoons down by the river, hanging out with some friends, having some drinks, and enjoying the airplanes. It was cancelled on Saturday, due to the wind, but was still fun to just hang out. Sunday had more action, with the races and some air show stuff - including a very cool helicopter show. Who would have thought that a helicopter could move like that? It was pretty neat.
So I spent a fair bit of time in the sun, and have a bit of a tan to show for it. It's a beautiful thing, and a good start for what I want to get during the rest of the summer. Yes, that's right, I'm going for not only a hot body from working out, but also a hot tan! Whoo hoo! Seriously, though, I looked in the mirror at the gym the other morning and just about couldn't' believe how good it's looking - my bod, that is. I haven't ever been in this great of shape, and I am LOVING it! It feels great to see and feel the muscles building and things "shaping" up.
Business is coming along, slowly but surely. Jon and I attended a networking event last night, and it looks like I will likely get a new client out of it. A lawyer, who would like to set up a website. Very coolness. Always exciting to get a new project!
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
is summer lost?!
Here it is the end of May and I'm still cold. It should be summer, it should be warm and sunny. We have the sun, but the temperature is still not what it should be. Perhaps summer got lost, or forgot where I live? I just hope It knows how to ask for directions...!!!
I've had some adventure this week. I got hit by a car yesterday when I was biking. (And now everyone is going, "What?!? Are you okay?" and your heart probably skipped a beat, right?) I had gone over to the east side of town to visit a friend from the SEA class who set up a neat dog bathhouse there. I wanted to see her shop and talk to her about her website - which she wants me to set up for her. So I biked over there in the afternoon, a nice ride, had a great visit with her and was pumped when I started biking back. Shortly after I started back, I went to cross a cross-street and there was a car there, waiting to turn right. He was stopped, so I went ahead to cross - I had the right-of-way and figured he'd seen me. He hadn't. Just as I pulled out in front crossing the street, he started to pull out into the main street, and his front bumper connected with my left foot and bicycle. Scary! I saw it in slow motion through a haze. He stopped really quick, and I had been knocked over a bit, so went to straighten up my bike and make sure everything was okay. It felt incredibly surreal! He got out of the car and asked if I was okay. My ankle was bruised, but other than that I was physically fine. Not the case with my bike however. I started checking it out and discovered that the front tire was warped pretty bad - couldn't even push the bike without lifting the front! So he pulled over into a parking spot and then offered to give me a ride and replace my wheel. I was cool with that. So to sum up, I went with him to Canadian Tire, and he actually bought me a whole new bike! Guess the guy felt pretty bad - who wouldn't? Was nice of him to take the time to replace my bike and everything though. So it actually worked out well for me. I have a brand new bike - and a nice one at that! The only negative thing is my bruised ankle, but I don't even feel that unless I press on it, so it's pretty minor. Quite the adventure though!
In business news, things are picking up. I have three new clients who want their websites started right away, so that should keep me busy for a bit, and will look good on my records for the SEA program. It's nice to see the business starting to gather some momentum. If I do a good job for these clients, I know they'll be glad to pass my name on to others - and of course I'll do a good job! Good to be able to build my portfolio and testimonials too.
I've had some adventure this week. I got hit by a car yesterday when I was biking. (And now everyone is going, "What?!? Are you okay?" and your heart probably skipped a beat, right?) I had gone over to the east side of town to visit a friend from the SEA class who set up a neat dog bathhouse there. I wanted to see her shop and talk to her about her website - which she wants me to set up for her. So I biked over there in the afternoon, a nice ride, had a great visit with her and was pumped when I started biking back. Shortly after I started back, I went to cross a cross-street and there was a car there, waiting to turn right. He was stopped, so I went ahead to cross - I had the right-of-way and figured he'd seen me. He hadn't. Just as I pulled out in front crossing the street, he started to pull out into the main street, and his front bumper connected with my left foot and bicycle. Scary! I saw it in slow motion through a haze. He stopped really quick, and I had been knocked over a bit, so went to straighten up my bike and make sure everything was okay. It felt incredibly surreal! He got out of the car and asked if I was okay. My ankle was bruised, but other than that I was physically fine. Not the case with my bike however. I started checking it out and discovered that the front tire was warped pretty bad - couldn't even push the bike without lifting the front! So he pulled over into a parking spot and then offered to give me a ride and replace my wheel. I was cool with that. So to sum up, I went with him to Canadian Tire, and he actually bought me a whole new bike! Guess the guy felt pretty bad - who wouldn't? Was nice of him to take the time to replace my bike and everything though. So it actually worked out well for me. I have a brand new bike - and a nice one at that! The only negative thing is my bruised ankle, but I don't even feel that unless I press on it, so it's pretty minor. Quite the adventure though!
In business news, things are picking up. I have three new clients who want their websites started right away, so that should keep me busy for a bit, and will look good on my records for the SEA program. It's nice to see the business starting to gather some momentum. If I do a good job for these clients, I know they'll be glad to pass my name on to others - and of course I'll do a good job! Good to be able to build my portfolio and testimonials too.
Friday, May 16, 2008
growth pains
I'm sure we are all familiar with the concept of physical growth pains - the idea that as a physical body grows, there are certain pains that come with it as the body adjusts. Anyone who works out or exercises strenuously knows this as well. Astonishingly enough, this goes the same for mental, emotional and spiritual growth. I know, surprise, huh? For someone who is committed to lifelong learning and personal development, I am familiar with these growth pains. I am learning that the trick for me is to be able to look past the pains and not get focused on the side effects of the growth.
I am learning to handle pain better - I've often been a wimp when it comes to any kind of pain. When it comes to personal growth, I tend to get all excited and see things I want to change and improve, but then get overwhelmed because I can't do it all at once, or because it is not happening as fast as I want it to. I have always been impulsive and ready to take action, sometimes without thinking it through enough. This can of course result in even more growth pains than necessary. I am learning, though. That is the whole point of personal improvement after all.
Lately I have been finding myself tempted to get discouraged again. So much information, so many challenges to do more, be more, and so many areas to work on in myself or my business. It gets overwhelming when you don't know where to start, or what to focus on first. Again, a learning curve. It is possible to learn to prioritize and put things in perspective, so you don't get overwhelmed and know where to start. I am learning to do this for myself and am finding ways to cut back on multi-tasking, or write out to-do lists, and even using a day planner to keep myself more focused and to get things done that are important and constructive, as opposed to just time fillers.
Over all, I would rather be feeling the growth pains and having to learn new organization and prioritizing skills, than to be content staying in exactly the same place. Life is about growth, development, trying new things. And in the end, it is well worth the pain to be able to look back and see where you've come from and how far you have come. My 25th birthday is coming up, and as I look back over the last 10 years, I am amazed to see how I have grown and developed, and the path I took to get to where I am today. I am thankful to the people who have helped me along that path and encouraged me during the rough spots, and inspired during the high spots, but most of all I am thankful for the spirit and confidence inside of me that has pushed me to where I am today. After all, it wouldn't matter who was trying to encourage or inspire me if I wasn't able to accept it and use it.
I am learning to handle pain better - I've often been a wimp when it comes to any kind of pain. When it comes to personal growth, I tend to get all excited and see things I want to change and improve, but then get overwhelmed because I can't do it all at once, or because it is not happening as fast as I want it to. I have always been impulsive and ready to take action, sometimes without thinking it through enough. This can of course result in even more growth pains than necessary. I am learning, though. That is the whole point of personal improvement after all.
Lately I have been finding myself tempted to get discouraged again. So much information, so many challenges to do more, be more, and so many areas to work on in myself or my business. It gets overwhelming when you don't know where to start, or what to focus on first. Again, a learning curve. It is possible to learn to prioritize and put things in perspective, so you don't get overwhelmed and know where to start. I am learning to do this for myself and am finding ways to cut back on multi-tasking, or write out to-do lists, and even using a day planner to keep myself more focused and to get things done that are important and constructive, as opposed to just time fillers.
Over all, I would rather be feeling the growth pains and having to learn new organization and prioritizing skills, than to be content staying in exactly the same place. Life is about growth, development, trying new things. And in the end, it is well worth the pain to be able to look back and see where you've come from and how far you have come. My 25th birthday is coming up, and as I look back over the last 10 years, I am amazed to see how I have grown and developed, and the path I took to get to where I am today. I am thankful to the people who have helped me along that path and encouraged me during the rough spots, and inspired during the high spots, but most of all I am thankful for the spirit and confidence inside of me that has pushed me to where I am today. After all, it wouldn't matter who was trying to encourage or inspire me if I wasn't able to accept it and use it.
Monday, May 12, 2008
[no subject]
I've been sitting here for at least 5 minutes, a blank blog box in front of me, trying to decide how to start it. I guess this is as good a start as any! Gotta love those blank mind moments!
I seem to be keeping busy. Business is slower than I would like, but I'm working on figuring out how to get more clients and get things to pick up. I have finally managed to get to some other stuff I've been meaning to do, so I am feeling pretty good about that. I've done up an image board - a collage with pictures of houses, landscaping and whatnot that I really like. A bit of a visual goal board of where I'd like to be as far as lifestyle and whatnot. That's something I've been meaning to do for a few months now. Then I got my guitar fixed. It needed new bridges - upper and lower - and new strings. Been needing the bridges for about two years now. Finally decided to just do it. Always feels good to get things like that done!
I've been doing more creative crafty stuff lately and loving it. Did up a table for Jon for the backyard, with a tile mosaic. Looks pretty fantastic, and was fun to do. Did some sewing on the weekend as well. Making another quilt, and enjoying getting creative with it. I love to see things like that come together, and to see the idea I had in my head turn out well on paper, fabric, internet, or whatever medium I happen to be using! I'll have to take a picture to post so you can all see it. Yes, I like to show off a bit - but who doesn't?
I've planted a garden as well and am enjoying watching that come up. Everything seems to be growing great - particularly the radishes and beans! Will be great to have some fresh stuff from the garden in a few weeks. I've missed doing stuff like that, so it's been nice to have the opportunity again. I even enjoyed the hard work of digging up the garden spot with a shovel! Still have callouses from that, but it always feels good to put my muscles into something and feel like I've done a good, hard job. I used to hate having to work when I was a kid, but now I love it - probably because I don't have to do it, so I can actually enjoy it. Funny how our minds work that way, huh?
On another note, I think I have my website all updated and where I want it. Feel free to check it out and give me some feedback! The link is on the right under my picture...
And that's all for now, folks! Enjoy your May day! :-P
I seem to be keeping busy. Business is slower than I would like, but I'm working on figuring out how to get more clients and get things to pick up. I have finally managed to get to some other stuff I've been meaning to do, so I am feeling pretty good about that. I've done up an image board - a collage with pictures of houses, landscaping and whatnot that I really like. A bit of a visual goal board of where I'd like to be as far as lifestyle and whatnot. That's something I've been meaning to do for a few months now. Then I got my guitar fixed. It needed new bridges - upper and lower - and new strings. Been needing the bridges for about two years now. Finally decided to just do it. Always feels good to get things like that done!
I've been doing more creative crafty stuff lately and loving it. Did up a table for Jon for the backyard, with a tile mosaic. Looks pretty fantastic, and was fun to do. Did some sewing on the weekend as well. Making another quilt, and enjoying getting creative with it. I love to see things like that come together, and to see the idea I had in my head turn out well on paper, fabric, internet, or whatever medium I happen to be using! I'll have to take a picture to post so you can all see it. Yes, I like to show off a bit - but who doesn't?
I've planted a garden as well and am enjoying watching that come up. Everything seems to be growing great - particularly the radishes and beans! Will be great to have some fresh stuff from the garden in a few weeks. I've missed doing stuff like that, so it's been nice to have the opportunity again. I even enjoyed the hard work of digging up the garden spot with a shovel! Still have callouses from that, but it always feels good to put my muscles into something and feel like I've done a good, hard job. I used to hate having to work when I was a kid, but now I love it - probably because I don't have to do it, so I can actually enjoy it. Funny how our minds work that way, huh?
On another note, I think I have my website all updated and where I want it. Feel free to check it out and give me some feedback! The link is on the right under my picture...
And that's all for now, folks! Enjoy your May day! :-P
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