“It’s better to walk alone, than with a crowd going in the wrong direction.” Diane Grant

How good are you at following your heart and doing what feels right regardless of what other people think? I used to never go against the grain or do things that were “outside the box”. There were so many times I reconsidered things I wanted and doubted myself just because other people were doing it differently.

But, you live and learn …

And, one day I realized I was trying so hard to fit into a box I was never meant to fit into.

It’s an easy trap to fall into isn’t it? We think we’ve got to fit in and do the things that are expected of us. But, you know what I finally learned? There is nothing more important than finding the way to your own truth and then following it. It’s like one my most favorite quotes says …

“If you are always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be.” ~Maya Angelou

So, I say we let the thinking go that we need to “fit in” or do things the way they have always been done. It’s not that we should choose to do things differently just to go against the norm. But, if there is something that feels right deep down then you’ve got to follow your heart and intuition.

From time-to-time, I update my “it’s okay list” of things that some people consider “wrong” but they are by all means okay for us to do. You may want to consider creating one of these lists for yourself. It just helps keep your truth top of mind. In the meantime, feel free to take a look at my most recent list.

41 Things You May Want to Do Even If Other People Tell You They Are Wrong

1. It’s okay … to refuse to worry about tomorrow
2. It’s okay … to be scared and have doubts but still go after what you want
3. It’s okay … to still believe … even though you can’t explain why something happened
4. It’s okay … to give up something really important that is no longer important to you
5. It’s okay … to love people who are still trying to learn how to love you the way you want to be loved
6. It’s okay … to have hope when things seem hopeless
7. It’s okay … to believe that there is something within you that is capable of anything
8. It’s okay … to choose your inner peace over proving your point
9. It’s okay … to completely reinvent yourself
10. It’s okay … to give up what you have today for what you really want tomorrow
11. It’s okay … to be confused and patient
12. It’s okay … to quit doing something that drains your positive energy
13. It’s okay … to only see the good in other people
14. It’s okay … to spend the day dreaming in the field
15. It’s okay … to be out of your comfort zone
16. It’s okay … to take time to yourself every single day
17. It’s okay … to only look at things from a positive perspective
18. It’s okay … to forgive everyone … even the people who don’t deserve it
19. It’s okay … to admit you need to improve things about yourself
20. It’s okay … to learn by making wrong turns and mistakes
21. It’s okay … to stop doing, talking and thinking and just be silent
22. It’s okay … to change your mind
23. It’s okay … to treat yourself to indulgences from time to time
24. It’s okay … to know without a doubt you will succeed
25. It’s okay … to take the day off, the month off or even years off
26. It’s okay … to nicely explain to people exactly what you want
27. It’s okay … to be an idealist and a dreamer
28. It’s okay … to not have the answer
29. It’s okay … to need help
30. It’s okay … to start over
31. It’s okay … to want more for your life
32. It’s okay … to question everything other people tell you
33. It’s okay … to be bold and take chances
34. It’s okay … to be vulnerable
35. It’s okay … to go through a tough time
36. It’s okay … to slow down
37. It’s okay … to have to search for your purpose
38. It’s okay … to embrace uncertainty
39. It’s okay … to take baby steps
40. It’s okay … to believe anything is possible
41. It’s okay … to have to find your way and figure out who you really are

Live Today Better Than Yesterday.

 “Some changes look negative on the surface but you will soon realize that space is being created in your life for something new to emerge.” Eckhart Tolle

We have lived long enough to know that from time to time challenges happen.  Haven’t you found that to be true?  You can be moving along day after day and things can be going relatively smoothly, but then all of a sudden, something you didn’t want happens. You hit a bump in the road. Or, maybe you get some bad news or find out that something you had hoped would work out doesn’t go as planned.

Whatever the case may be, there are times where things happen and we know that in one way or another, we are going to have to deal with it. There’s some “working through” that is going to need to happen.

In the past, I used to really dislike challenges. I would get upset and bothered because I just wanted things to go smoothly. Back then, if I had read any quotes that tried to explain anything positive about having challenges, I wouldn’t have appreciated them. Quotes like  …

 “Some changes look negative on the surface but you will soon realize that space is being created in your life for something new to emerge.” Eckhart Tolle  (or)

“You can’t control the waves, but you can learn to surf.” John Kabat Zinn

I would have read these quotes and thought … Yes, that’s all nice and well. I am glad that “something new is going to emerge” and “surfing” sounds great. But, right now, I really don’t care. I’ve got some real issues that need to be dealt with. Maybe after all my problems go away, then I can work on being happy about new things emerging and learning to surf.

But, you live and learn … right? And, I knew that not looking at challenges from the right perspective was working against me and preventing me from being able to see all my options and potential solutions.

So, one day I pushed myself to look back on all those times where things had gone “wrong”. You know what I eventually realized? Although those challenging times were tough to get through, there was always something extremely important I ended up realizing. And, I definitely got stronger by working through every challenge.

Even though I now see the benefits of having certain experiences, I can’t say that I sit around hoping a challenge will come my way. But, what I can say, is that there are two things we can know for sure every time a challenge does arise:

(1) Its time to trust. There’s no need to wonder “why” or resent anything that is happening because somehow – someway it is strengthening you for all the good stuff that’s coming your way … or as that quote by Eckhart Tolle explains “something new is going to emerge”.

AND

(2) There will be things that need to be worked through, but you really can surf through the challenge. “It’s not the load that breaks you down, it’s the way you carry it”.— Lena Horne

You Can Learn to Surf With The Right Mindset

It all comes down to your mindset and how you choose to manage through the challenge. Even though there are times where we can’t control the waves and challenges may arise, what we can always control is our mindset. We can choose to do the right things everyday that will strengthen our mindset and then we can better manage through whatever comes our way. That’s liberating and it reminds us of the truth …

We are not at the mercy of any challenges. We just need to choose to surf.

The Possibility of Today – Choose The Ideal Mindset And Surf Through Challenges

1. Push Yourself Toward Acceptance. As you move through the day, remind yourself that your goal is acceptance and that you are being set up for something new to emerge. Knowing that acceptance is your goal gives you something to aim for and it can cut down on the time you resent or are upset about whatever challenge has come up.

2. Focus Your Attention on Today. Its all about TODAY. Don’t worry about tomorrow or what happened yesterday. Its just about today and taking a step forward. What are you going to do today?

3. Keep The Benefits Top of Mind. Anytime you get overwhelmed or frustrated, remind yourself of all the personal benefits and also the benefits the people you care about will experience. It’s always extra motivation to remember why you’re working so hard to get through the challenge.

Live Today Better than Yesterday.

Please Click Here to check out the latest radio show episode about tapping into and maintaining the ideal mindset.

Did you like this article? Please share your thoughts in the comment section. Also, if you need to contact me, please feel free to use the contact form or e-mail me directly at (sibyl@possibilityoftoday.com). I always love hearing from you.

“To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.” — Anatole France

When it comes to what you want for your life, do you trust that if you continually do the right things, at some point things will come together and unfold perfectly?

You know what I realized? This is a recurring question we are always going to have to answer no matter what it is we are hoping will happen in our life. It always comes down to this one question …

When there is something you really want, do you believe and trust that down the road things will unfold perfectly? It’s easy to believe when you see things falling into place, but can you believe and trust before you see anything? Can you trust that things will work out before you have any tangible reason to believe?

I always wanted to believe that if I was doing the right things day after day, at some point, somehow-someway, things would come together.

But, I wasn’t completely confident that I could trust that to happen. There were days when my belief would waiver. I thought I was crazy for trusting that things were going to come together – especially since there were plenty of times in the past when they had not.

One day though I finally realized what the problem always had been. I wasn’t crazy for believing. There was nothing wrong with completely trusting things would unfold perfectly … The problem I had was that I didn’t always believe.

I had my doubts and wanted to see things falling into place before I completely believed they would. I put conditions on my belief.

I will believe it when I see it …
I’ll know its going to happen when …
I am not going to assume things are going to be okay until …

Of course it’s much easier to trust things will work out when you have solid and undeniable evidence. But, that’s just not the way the process works. And, I finally figured out that holding back my complete belief was working against me and getting in the way of things coming together.

I had things in the wrong order. Although I thought it made sense to be cautious and not completely believe things were going to come together until they did. The way the process really works is:

1. Believe and trust that things will come together – continually strengthen your belief while you work and do the right things day after day (take steps up your Possibility Spiral) and then …

2. Things come together

The process is that clear and so I realized that what I really needed to do was focus on continually strengthening my belief. This was the vital step I had missed so many times before.

The reality is that we may have doubts or other reasons that cause our belief to waiver. But, what we also have is the possibility to push ourselves to believe and trust more and more.

We choose to remind ourselves of what we know deep down to be true … When we have the right intentions, do the right things day after day AND we believe, things unfold just as we need them to. But, we’ve got to sign up to completely believe and trust in that truth.

Yes, you may have fears and doubts.
Yes, you may have been disappointed in the past.
Yes, you may not really want to invest your heart and start hoping again.

But, now you’re here at this point and its time to sign up to completely believe. You are more than capable of having whatever it is you want for your life, but you’ve got to believe it – really, really believe it.

It’s okay if your belief waivers at times. It happens. You’re human. But, you’ve got to do whatever you can to strengthen your belief more and more. Belief is the essential element for whatever it is you want for your life.

The Possibility of Today: Strengthen Your Belief

1. Start the day off believing. Every morning take at least 10 minutes to strengthen your belief. Read books, articles and any other information that reminds you things will come together.

2. Shine the Light on Any doubts. Every time you notice a thought of disbelief pop into your mind, make a point to take time and envision what you want happening. You always want to replace doubtful thoughts with visions of things working out and take some time to reflect on how great you will feel when things do work out.

3. Center Yourself. Choose to do things throughout the day that keep you centered. Go for a long walk, meditate, do yoga, take Time In(s) or anything else that works for you. When you’re truly centered, it helps melt away doubts and keeps the truth top of mind.

Live Today Better than Yesterday.

If you have a chance, check out the latest episode of Possibility of Today Radio. It’s all about strengthening your belief and being patient while the dots connect. Click Here.

Did you like this article? Please share your thoughts in the comment section below. And,  if you need to contact me for anything, feel free to use the contact form or e-mail me directly at (sibyl@possibilityoftoday.com). I always love hearing from you. 

 ”Beautiful things happen when you distance yourself from all negativity.”

When a negative thought comes up in your mind do you choose to correct it or do you let it stay there until you move on and start thinking about something else?

For example, if the thought – “I am scared that things aren’t going to work out” pops into your mind … before you move on, do you correct it and say to yourself - “Everything is going to be absolutely fine. I know things always unfold perfectly and I just need to trust and believe that.”  

I think one of the most important things I ever realized was that we can choose to never let a negative thought be the last one we have on anything that is going on in our life. Of course, we’re human, and so from time-to-time fears, doubts and negative thoughts may surface in our mind.

However, a vital and easy little tweak we can make is to correct those thoughts. And, as we move through the day, if we make that little change, we can dramatically improve the way we experience everything.

Isn’t it almost unbelievable that something as simple as that can have such a profound impact on your mood and the way you feel and experience everything? But, it really does.

And, this practice of never letting a negative thought be the last one I have on any topic has absolutely changed and improved so much about my life. It keeps the right thoughts top of mind and that has changed the way I see and experience everything – especially the challenges.

It’s not that my mind is now free of all negative thoughts, it’s just that I have figured out if I choose to shine enough light on the negative thoughts, they will be overshadowed and take a back seat until the day comes where they eventually melt away.

So, I am sure you see why it is something I make sure I do throughout the day anytime anything negative surfaces in my mind. And, if you’re not already doing this, you’ve got to try it out TODAY.

Also, if you’re looking for some good thoughts that you do want to make sure you are keeping top of mind as you move through the day, here are 5 of my most favorite ones that ran through my mind last week.

5 Simple But Powerful Messages to Keep Top of Mind (Part #9)

#1) ”It’s not who you are that holds you back … It’s who you think you’re not.” Author Unknown

#2) “When we have the right intentions, do things genuinely and invest the right amount of effort and time, things have a way of unfolding perfectly.”

#3) “Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance.” Eckhart Tolle 

#4) ”Sometimes you have to stop worrying, wondering, doubting and know that what’s meant to be will always find it’s way.”

#5) “Make the best use of what is in your power and take the rest as it happens.” Epictetus

Live Today Better than Yesterday.

Did you like these messages? Please share your thoughts in the comment section below. If you need to contact me, please feel free to use the contact form or e-mail me directly at (sibyl@possibilityoftoday.com). I always love hearing from you.

To experience peace does not mean that your mind is always blissful. It means that you’re capable of tapping into a blissful state of mind amidst the normal chaos of a hectic life. – Jill Bolte Taylor

Is it just me or do you also feel like there has been so much going on for what feels like forever? For awhile now, hasn’t it felt like you’ve had so much to manage through? Maybe you’ve been trying to accomplish something for awhile? Or, perhaps you’ve been experiencing the ups and downs –  of life, or your work, or your relationship, or your health, or your financial situation, or all of the above.

Well, if any of this sounds familiar, then I know what you’re going through. I also have had a ton of things going on for what feels like a very, very long time.

Aren’t you looking for that finish line? Or, at least to reach that point where you can see that everything you’ve been working through is finally paying off? However, no matter how much you wish otherwise, you know you’re not at the finish line just yet. There’s some more “pushing” required and you’re probably going to have to work through some more challenges – “Ugh”.

In the past, I would have questioned if I could really handle it all. I would have felt exhausted, a little defeated, and that it was going to take so long to get to where I wanted to be. But, I would have kept “pushing”. I would have worked harder and harder because I felt that I didn’t really have a choice – the only way out … was getting through.

Although some days would have been good, too many others would have been really hard. I would have gotten more stressed out every time I thought something else was going wrong. I would have been a little scared that I wasn’t going to actually be able to make it.

After way too many years of doing it the hard way, “sucking it up” and suffering through … I finally figured out there is another way.

Although there are challenges and things we have to work through, we are not meant to live with fears and doubts weighing us down and casting a shadow on our days. It doesn’t have to feel so heavy and like we have the weight of the world on our shoulders.

There is a different way – a much, much better way through.

It’s easy to fall into the trap of feeling the weight of the challenges and what’s not working. And, you may think that all you can and should do is dig down deep, be tough, and push harder. I know in the past those were traps I used to fall into.

However, what we really are meant to do is move through our days differently. And, when I finally realized that and started doing it, everything got Lighter.

Yes, there may be times where challenges arise and some of your attention and energy must be spent working through them. But, what is most important, is that as you move through the day, you do all you can to continually feel the strength of your Extraordinary Side. You keep your Extraordinary Side in the foreground and let It guide you through. Because your Extraordinary Side knows…

It knows that everything is unfolding perfectly. It knows how to outshine the doubts, the fears, the exhaustion and the stress. It melts away the heaviness so we can take care of what needs to be done and move through much easier regardless of what has come our way.

You’re going to get through this. You haven’t made it this far just to fall down. The day will come when you will look back on this time and smile. You will know without a doubt it was a valuable part of your journey and that you were strengthened in so many ways.

But, there’s no need to wait for that day to come before you feel the relief from the strength and knowingness of your Extraordinary Side. Smile today (and every today that follows). There’s no need to do it the hard way. Let your Extraordinary Side be in the foreground. Lean on it and let it lighten the load. It will always guide you through.

The Possibility of Today – Keeping Your Extraordinary Side In the Foreground As You Push Through

1. Make Sure You Have A Morning Relaxation Session. Every single morning, take at least 30 minutes and do something that relaxes you (yoga, meditation, reading, walking, etc.) and ensures your Extraordinary Side is in the foreground before you start the day.

2. Stop ‘Doing’ and Relax on An As Needed Basis. When you feel stressed or something goes “wrong”, stop whatever you’re doing and give yourself 30 minutes to relax. Call a friend, meditate, go on a walk, or do anything else that allows you to find your way back to your center.

3. Take At Least 2 Time In(s) Everyday. Time In(s) are just 5 minutes that you take to really connect to the feeling of your Extraordinary Side. You can do the same thing you did for your morning relaxation session or anything else that allows you to unwind and really feel your Extraordinary Side.

4. Take Deep Breaths Throughout the Entire Day. Every time you can remember, just stop for 1-2 seconds and take a deep conscious breath. 

Live Today Better than Yesterday

 Did you like this article? Please share your thoughts in the comment section. And, if you need to contact me for anything, please feel free to use the contact form or e-mail me directly at (sibyl@possibilityoftoday.com) . I always love hearing from you.

“Forgiveness means that you do not carry the baggage of an experience.” Gary Zukav

On a scale of 1 to 10, how good are you at forgiving people? I came across a poll awhile back that said 74% of the people they polled admitted there was someone they hadn’t forgiven. So, if you are not an expert when it comes to forgiveness, you are definitely not alone.

I know I definitely used to have my own hangups with forgiving people.

Forgiveness in general was hard for me, but what would make it even worse was when people didn’t even apologize for their bad behavior or when I knew it was just a matter of time before they would do something again that needed to be forgiven (you know those people that are continually doing inconsiderate or mean things).

I always felt people needed to be held accountable for their behavior and earn forgiveness. In my mind, they needed to realize their mistakes and then be willing to do whatever it took to make up for what they had done wrong.

But, you live and you learn.

And, while it is absolutely true that people must be held accountable for their bad behavior … I realized forgiveness is always the way to go – even if it has not been earned or the person has not apologized. I also realized I wasn’t the one that was supposed to be holding them accountable.

In fact, if I were to do that, and hold onto my anger (even if it was justified) I would be doing exactly what you’re not supposed to do and only causing myself unnecessary anguish. It’s like one of my favorite quote explains …

“Holding onto anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.” Buddha

Peace of Mind Is Your #1 Priority

As I am sure you’ve heard, there is a direct link between your peace of mind and how you experience life. If you’re holding onto anger or resentment, even if you don’t realize it, you are tainting the way you experience everything … your happiness, your relationships, how you feel, what you accomplish, your mood, what you do, etc. 

So, when it comes to whether or not you should forgive someone, it really comes down to one question.

Would you rather -

(1) free yourself to move on; live the life you want; feel at your best; and enjoy the good people around you.

Or,

(2) continue to hold onto your anger and weigh yourself down with the negativity that results from not forgiving people.

And, once we opt for #1 and decide it’s time to forgive someone, then what should we do?

Forgiveness Isn’t Automatic – You’ve Got To Put In The Work

We’ve got to sign up to “do the work” since forgiveness doesn’t usually automatically happen.

I was actually thinking through the “work” that must be done to forgive because last weekend when I was sitting around chatting with a couple of friends, one of my friends asked me how she can get better at forgiving people.

Although, as I was saying earlier, I used to be pretty bad at forgiving people, it is definitely something I have continually practiced day after day and I have been able to really strengthen my forgiveness muscle. I put in the practice until I had the “forgiveness” thing down.

Forgiveness works like any other skill and practice makes perfect until it really does get easier and easier to forgive people. So, if there is someone you need to forgive or if you just need to be a little better at forgiveness, then today is the day to commit to doing it.

There is a reason you feel deep down that you should forgive. It’s the instinct of your Extraordinary Side and like it always does, it is pointing you in the right direction. Follow it. It will be one of the best things you’ve ever done for yourself.

And, when you free yourself from being bogged down by the bad behavior of other people, you open yourself up to living in such a better way. It’s like another one of my favorite quotes reminds us -

“Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future.” – Paul Boese

The Possibility of Today – Enlarging Your Future by Forgiving Others

These are the specific steps you can follow anytime you want to forgive anyone. Print these steps out and commit to repeating them day after day until you know you’ve forgiven the person. 

Step #1 – Take Three Deep Breaths.

Step #2 – Remind Yourself of Your Commitment. There is nothing more important than your peace of mind and you’re committed to freeing yourself of any negativity. There are so many things you want for your life (things you want to accomplish, happiness, success, enjoyment, etc.). You don’t want any negativity that comes from not forgiving people to weigh you down and get in the way.

Step #3 – Put an End to the Re-Runs. Don’t let your mind continue to run back what happened and all the reasons your anger is justified. Every time you notice your mind doing that, take a deep breath and remind yourself that you’re working on forgiveness. A great little quote to say to yourself – “Stop Focusing on What Happened and Start Focusing on What’s Going to Move You Forward.”

Step #4 – Tap Into Your Empathy. Remind yourself that people don’t just behave badly for no reason. There are things that have happened in the past that are causing them to lash out. Is that an excuse that justifies their bad behavior? Of course not, but realizing that people have gone through something (i.e. lack of love from a parent, a traumatic experience, a bad breakup, etc.) makes it easier to not take what they did to you personally. Keep this quote top of mind …

“Whatever happens around you, don’t take it personally… Nothing other people do is because of you. It is because of themselves.”―Don Miguel Ruiz

Step #5 – Think About Their Good Qualities. Anytime your mind tries to remind you of the shortcomings of the person you’re trying to forgive, turn your attention instead to their good qualities. Even the most terrible person in the world has good qualities. Although sometimes people’s bad qualities are easier to see than their good qualities, if you choose to look for the good things, they are always there. Focusing on the good qualities also helps you move toward forgiveness.

Step #6 – Put Things Into Perspective. Think about some of the bigger things going on around you. The tragedies and all the other things happening around us all the time. Then think about all the things in your life that you appreciate and the people in your life that you are so fortunate to have. In the grand scheme of things, whatever you were upset about pales in comparison to these bigger things in life – don’t you agree? Remind yourself of that reality and put everything into perspective.

 How do you know if you’ve forgiven someone? Click Here and check out this forgiveness checklist.

Live Today Better than Yesterday

Please Click Here to listen to the latest radio episode of Possibility of Today: Jason Collins, Catherine Zeta Jones – Breaking Through Barriers & How You Can Break Through Your Own Barriers

Did you like this article? Please share your thoughts in the comment section below. And, if you need to contact me, please feel free to use the contact form or e-mail directly at sibyl@possibilityoftoday.com. I always love hearing from you.

“Dear Past,

Thank you for all the lessons you gave me.

Dear Future,

I am ready now.”

Have you ever looked back on your life and thought … “If I just knew then, what I know now.” ?

I know that throughout our life we get so many lessons and important takeaway messages from experiences and challenges.

I also know that I missed some lessons and takeaway message the first time around … and needed repeat lessons (sometimes several repeat lessons) until what I needed to understand finally sunk in.

Wouldn’t it have been have great if some of those lessons could have stuck just a little sooner?

But, life has a way of unfolding perfectly … and the perfect lessons always come to us at the perfect time.

From time to time, I like to put together lists of the lessons and takeaway messages that have stuck. Since life is all about growth and change, I have realized it’s good to have a record of the things you’re figuring out along the way and update it as you grow and learn more.

If you don’t have one of these lists yet, you might want to consider putting one together. It helps you lock into your mind the things you’ve always known in your heart. Here is my most recent and updated list (in no particular order).

19 Things I Wish I Knew Earlier In Life

1. Two mistakes you want to avoid on the road to forgiveness: not starting and not going all the way.

2. It was never about fitting in or changing. It was just about finding your way to continually uncover more and more of who you really are.

3. The friends you’ve known and loved your entire life are some of your most valuable gifts … and so are those friends you find later in life that you have a special connection with and feel as if you’ve known and loved forever.

4. Be with someone – who you really love, who really loves you, and who helps you become even better than you at first thought was possible.

5. Even if you can’t see things working, there are always good things going on “behind the scenes” and coming your way.

6.  It’s okay to look forward to tomorrow, but make sure you don’t overlook The Possibility of Today.

7. The best way to find your “perfect” mate is to create a list of all the qualities and traits you’re looking for … and then work on strengthening each one of those things in yourself while you patiently wait for the right person to come your way.

8. Don’t allow someone else’s bad behavior to cause you to be someone you’re not.

9. The only real difference between a rainy Monday and a sunny Friday … is your perspective.

10. You can have fears and still take steps forward. In fact, that is usually how it works.

11. It’s always too early to think it’s too late.

12. Sometimes it’s not about having all the answers, and seeing all the turns, curves and the exact path forward; it’s just about trusting, leaning in the direction of what feels right, and focusing on living the day in front of you in the absolute best way you can.

13. Sometimes you must let go of certain things … so even better things can come your way.

14. If it really wasn’t possible, it would have never crossed your mind. Your dreams are your possibilities.

15. If there is something you feel deep down is right for you, then you must have infinite hope and infinite patience.

16. Things don’t just happen “to us” they also happen “for us”. No experience is wasted – everything in life helps strengthen you and show you more and more of who you really are.

17. When it comes to your purpose, you should either be doing it or looking for it. It’s okay if it evolves or takes you awhile to find, but realize there is no substitute.

18. When you’re really ready to move on, you will stop focusing on what happened and start focusing on what’s going to move you forward.

19. The Ultimate Possibility of Today: Experiencing the depth of every moment as who you really are – loving, living, and enjoying your experiences and the people around you.

Live Today Better than Yesterday.

Did you like this list? Please let me know what you think. Share your thoughts in the comment section below. If you need to contact me for anything, feel free to use the contact form or e-mail me directly at (sibyl@possibilityoftoday.com). I always love hearing from you.

“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”

Are you aware of your Extraordinary Side?

You may have heard people refer to it as your Higher Self or that part of you deep down that knows what you’re really capable of. It’s also that ‘thing’ in you that helps you get through those tough times.

You know what I’m talking about – don’t you?

Well, the other day, I was doing research for this next book I am writing and I came across some information about this “thing” in us – our Extraordinary Side. It’s actually pretty interesting because there’s a lot of research out there on the Extraordinary Side.

Albert Einstein as well as many other scientists and doctors have also come across the Extraordinary Side or Higher Self.

I thought it was interesting because for so long I assumed the Extraordinary Side was exclusively a “spiritual” thing, but that’s just not the case. And, what’s even more interesting, is that even though it’s been both spiritually and scientifically proven, it’s so easy to overlook the fact that we really do have this part of our self we always can and should be relying on.

I know I used to overlook my Extraordinary Side and I didn’t really understand the role it was meant to play in my life.

Looking back now though, I can see so many times when it was there. Whether I realized it or not, I was definitely leaning on my Extraordinary Side when the going got tough. It was always there … doing its best to reassure me that I could absolutely push through no matter how terrible things felt or how insurmountable problems seemed.

It was also there when there were things I really wanted for my life. It was pushing me in the right direction and helping me find the way.

Although I think we have always known there is this silent force within us – our Extraordinary Side – we may not spend much time reflecting on it or even more importantly knowing without a doubt that no matter what is going on, our Extraordinary Side is there for us.

It’s easy to get caught up in life and everything that is going on. It’s even easier to fall into the trap of listening to the Chief Negativity Officer in your mind instead of your Extraordinary Side.

I know that’s a problem I used to have. But, then one day, it finally clicked.

And, I have been all about my Extraordinary Side ever since. Letting it take the lead, focusing continually on moving through the day with my Extraordinary Side in the foreground, and doing all I can to let my Extraordinary Side shape and influence every single thing I do.

Lately, I have been leaning on my Extraordinary Side BIG TIME in order to finish up this book. I’ve been working on this book for over a year and it’s been a lot of work. Who knew writing this book would be so much work? (everyone … but me).

Anyway, there have been so many ups and downs and even sideways with this book. But, my Extraordinary Side has been there – guiding me every step of the way.

Helping me stay on course when I felt tired.
Pointing me in the direction of creative ideas and insights.
Reassuring me that everything is going to fall into place.

And, hopefully pointing me very soon in the direction of a good subtitle. (Actually, I am going to also need your help for that one … so please stay tuned).

The problem I made so many times in the past was that I didn’t let my Extraordinary Side take the lead in my life. But, after a long, long time and many lessons, I’ve finally realized that is one of the most important things we can ever do.

So, today, if you are working to accomplish anything, or if you are working to push through anything, or even if you’re just moving through an ordinary day, realize your Extraordinary Side is there for you.

Let it lead you. Listen to it. Believe it. Lean on it. It’s the silent force that will always show you the way.

The Possibility of Today – Let Your Extraordinary Side Take The Lead

1.Recognize your Extraordinary Side. Take some time and think about the last time you pushed through a challenge. Wasn’t there something in you that helped you push through? That was your Extraordinary Side.

2.Choose to Move Through The Day As Your Extraordinary Side. At the beginning of the day, tell yourself that you are going to move through the day with your Extraordinary Side in the foreground – your Conscious Self.

3. Overshadow the Chief Negativity Officer. Anytime negative thoughts surface in your mind, take time to relax and take deep breaths. Feel your Extraordinary Side. Listen to it as it tries to remind you that everything will be okay. Eventually, the negative thoughts will settle.

Live Today Better than Yesterday.

We do have the choice to be editing our life on any given day if we wish. We can ‘edit’ the way we ‘perceive’…’resist’…’resent’… and ‘question’ what comes our way. 

How good are you at “editing” and framing the things that come your way in the best light possible? This is a question I asked myself recently after coming across this great quote (above) that Rand left in the comments of last week’s article (Thank you Rand).

One of the things I have finally learned is that the way we perceive things and frame them in our minds absolutely affects the way we experience them and how we feel.

And, I’ve realized that often times some “editing” of situations is necessary because our minds don’t automatically see things in the best light and from the right perspective.

For so many years, I used to just accept my initial impression and the way my mind would frame things.

This situation is terrible and going to be so hard to get through.

You’re never going to figure things out and get to where you really want to be.

Yeah, that would be nice if you could make that happen … but, what are the chances? Things never work out like that for you.

I knew the way I was looking at things was working against me. It made problems seem 10 times worse than they actually were and challenges always felt insurmountable.

I didn’t realize some ‘editing’ was necessary and that I could take notice of how my mind was framing things and make corrections that would not only positively impact my perception, but also allow me to feel better about whatever was going on.

But, I also knew I wasn’t the type of person that could easily just be swayed by “positive thinking”.

I am definitely a realist and I knew if I was going to counter the Chief Negativity Officer in my mind, I needed to have solid rationales and practical information that was reliable, factual and based on the truth.

So, I started reading, searching and analyzing books, articles, theories and just about anything else I could get my hands on. And, when I would come across a certain truth that resonated with me deep down, and then I found this same truth substantiated by so many different authors, scientists, doctors, teachers, and philosophers - I knew I had discovered another little nugget of wisdom I could rely on.

I’ve been collecting these nuggets of wisdom for a long time now and I try to make certain I continually have them top of mind. It’s not that from time-to-time negative thoughts don’t pop up or surface in my mind, but I am instantly able to edit and correct them with the truth that is in all these nuggets of wisdom.

So, if you also have any situations that are in need of ‘editing’, I hope you find one or several of these truths helpful.

5 Simple But Powerful Thoughts to Keep Top of Mind Today

#1) ”You must master a new way to think before you master a new way to be.” Marianne Williamson

#2) ”A bend in the road is not the end of the road… unless you fail to make the turn.” — Unknown

#3) ”Sometimes you have to stop worrying, wondering, doubting and know that what’s meant to be will always find it’s way.”

#4) “Everything is another piece of the puzzle …things don’t just happen “to us” – they also happen “for us” so we can learn, get stronger, and live even better tomorrow.”

#5) “Every experience has shaped you, strengthened you, and set you up to take advantage of the future in a new and improved way.”

Live Today Better than Yesterday.

“It’s not a problem if one door closes. It’s only a problem if you don’t realize you’re being directed to something better.”

Do you always trusts the way things are changing and unfolding in your life?

Maybe your relationship is changing; maybe something unexpected occurred; maybe an opportunity fell through; or maybe something has happened that changed the course of your life forever.

Whatever the case may be, when it comes to accepting what is happening and trusting it, how good are you at doing that?

I used to not be good at accepting change or trusting when unexpected things occurred.  I had expectations of how things would happen and I was uncomfortable and concerned when things didn’t go according to plan.

However, looking back on my life, I can see that every single thing that has happened – in one way or another – eventually helped me in some way. There was a lesson I needed to learn. There was strength I needed to gain.

There was always something within every single experience that I needed … even if I didn’t necessarily want it at the time.

It’s like one of my most favorite quotes explains …

“Things don’t just happen to us … they also happen for us so that we can learn, get stronger and live even better tomorrow.”

It doesn’t mean we will have all the answers and always understand why. But, we don’t need all the answers and we don’t need to understand “why?”

All we ever have to do is trust and accept that whatever has come our way is giving us something we need – even if we can’t see exactly what that is yet.

Is that sometimes easier said than done? Yes, of course.

But, what I also realized is that we can push ourselves to use every experience and every challenge as an opportunity to get better and better at just trusting.

This is what I committed to doing awhile back and it’s working.

Choose To Do It Differently

Instead of resorting to the old way I used to handle things and getting upset, resenting what happened, or questioning “why?” – I choose to do it differently now from the very beginning.

I push myself to look at things from a different perspective. I work through any fears, anxiousness, or concern by reminding myself that everything really does unfold perfectly.

And, after continual practice, I would say I am getting pretty good at trusting whatever comes my way. Things don’t feel heavy or weigh on me like they used to. It’s not that I always love whatever is happening, but I can find my way to trusting it.

I know that somehow – someway life is giving me what I need.

The question is whether we will let the fears and any uncertainty get us worked up and take control? Or, will we choose to manage through whatever has come our way differently? Will we trust the way things unfold and let our faith overshadow our fears and show us the way through?

The choice is always ours.

The Possibility of Today

1. Accept Whatever Has Come Your Way. Don’t resist, resent or question anything. No matter what it is, choose to look at every single experience from a different perspective and a part of life unfolding perfectly.

2. Manage Your Fears By Trusting. As soon as you notice your fears rising to the surface, immediately remind yourself that you trust the process and you know that everything happens for a reason. Let your faith and belief overshadow any negative emotions and feelings. Eventually, the fears will move through your system once you shine enough light on them.

Live Today Better than Yesterday.