Nobody feels good enough. Even the most secure person gets an occasional bout of the insecurity blues. Somehow we get programmed with not feeling good enough and it can be a real show stopper if it is not addressed and worked through. In order to work through it we need to recognize the feeling when it creeps up and de-program ourselves from the negative and instead focus on exactly what we want to be. We need to tell ourselves “I am good enough as a writer” or “I am good enough as an artist” or “I am good enough as a female” or whatever the case may be. Constant repetition of whatever affirmation suits the situation is an excellent remedy. Writing can also help. But the best thing to do when the thought runs through your head is to press stop and play another tape. One that comes from a place of love, laughter, or joy. Something moving or funny that can elevate the mood and take us to a higher place. Because in higher places everything is good enough, even perfect or holy. The key is to connect with that, and hold on as long as possible, until we can eventually “live” there.

We are given so many signs every day. The trick is to pay attention and recognize them, as they are often way more subtle than we would imagine. We expect the skies to part, or a big booming voice, or a bolt of lightning. But actual signs are much more gentle. Warning signs can come as a nagging feeling to drive a different way, or to delay a meeting with a friend that has a contagious flu bug until that person is feeling better, in order to protect our health. But there are also beautiful “green light” signs that show us that we are on the right track. These can come in the form of rainbows, crows, humming birds, butterflies, or any symbol that we may attach meaning to. These green light signs are every bit as important as warning signs and should be heeded and blessed and celebrated. They can be a sign that we are on the right path or that a certain decision we have made has been validated. But mostly they are a reminder to breathe in the moments of joy that exist for everyone. Time will pass the same whether we are happy and joyous or otherwise, so why not choose happiness? Each day we have is a gift, so embrace the signs of joy, and a blessed life you will live indeed!

Pets are a wonderful way to bring love into our lives. The unconditional love that a pet shows us can be a magnificent teacher and healer at the same time. Pets greet us with a heart full of love, and we really should practice the same with each other. How wonderful would this world be if we would all be as loving and forgiving and kind to each other as our pets are to us? Pets don’t gossip behind our backs; they are happy and grateful for the crumbs of kindness that we bestow upon them. They are always overjoyed to see us, whether we have returned from a long day’s work, or just gone for a minute to retrieve the newspaper. To have a pet is a blessing and it can also be an amazing lesson in unconditional love. To open our hearts to truly love a pet can heal us in magical ways. The bonds of love between pet and human can set us free from loneliness and open us up to receive love and all of the other blessings that life has to offer.

The most blessed way to start the day is to ask “how can I serve?” The word service sometimes carries with it a negative connotation, but this type of service here is fun, it is not like jury duty. It is the unique way that you can help to make the world a better place. This comes in the form of supporting. You can lend support to a friend who needs it, show love to any animal, or smile at a young child. All of these actions, and so many more, can make great changes in the world. By showing and being a living example of love and kindness we can change the dynamics of situations, and little by little, we can change the world. The greatest gift that you can give is your service. In this way you are an angel here on earth and participate in the divine vortex of energy that is continually working for the betterment of the planet. Hold your loved ones in beautiful regard. Send blessings and messages of love to them when they enter your thoughts. In this manner we serve each other, society, and the entire planet.

Today’s featured artwork selection is Garden Altar by California garden artist Susan Rios. Garden Altar is used by permission of Susan Rios. For more information on Garden Altar and other artwork by Susan Rios, please visit her website at www.susanrioseditions.com.

The Universe is mental. What does this mean? It means that any and all situations in our lives, we have created, and are creating, with our thoughts. Things are thoughts and thoughts are things. We think of paradise as something that should be saved for a special occasion such as a vacation. But why not have paradise every day? “If you want to view paradise; simply look around and view it”. A song from a favorite childhood movie rings true. This is paradise! We are here, capable of so many beautiful dreams, and that is the stuff that perfection is made of. Love today for what it is,. See paradise in your life right now. A kiss from a beloved pet, a funny e-mail from a friend, or phone call from someone special are all beautiful things. And what is paradise if not a wondrous place full of beautiful things? Recognize the beauty in each day and revel in the perfection of the moment. So paradise shall be yours. Moment by moment, kiss by kiss, beautiful day by beautiful day.

It is never wrong to have hope. Hope, even under the direst of circumstances, can change the outcome of a situation, so often for the better. Any outcome is possible, so we might as well choose the one we want. A tiny grain of hope can move even the most stubborn of mountains. People feel foolish hoping for a desired result, but really, it is foolish not to hope for what is desired! The laws of the universe say that what you focus on will expand. So focus on what you hope for. Focus on your hope, not on the outcome you fear, and it will steer you toward the desired result. Embrace this hope as you would a loving companion. Hope can conquer any any all fears if you hold it in your heart. Hold your hope in your heart as you move forward each day. This is the most loving thing that you can do for yourself and others. When others can not see the hopeful outcome of a situation…show them. The world can be a beautiful place, one shining example of hope at a time.

Today is all we have. We get so wrapped up in tomorrows and yesterdays that we forget to live for today. This entails breathing in the moment, being grateful for all of the blessings in our lives, and doing all that we can do to make the most of every day. In order to make the most of each and every single day we need to learn to be present in the moment. In this way we can do what we can to move forward each day. When we are present in the moment, we can tune into the guidance of the wisdom of the universe, much like having a radio set to the proper channel allows us to hear the station clearly and eliminates static. In this way we can move forward and make the most of our effort without a lot of struggle. Most importantly when we are present in the moment we can appreciate and honor today and let go of yesterdays and tomorrows. Who wants to end up wishing to trade a stack of tomorrows for a single yesterday? Live for today, in the moment, and you will never have to.

Today’s featured artwork selection is Garden Terrace by Southern California garden artist artist Susan Rios. Garden Terrace is used by permission of Susan Rios. For more information on Garden Terrace and other artwork by Susan Rios please visit her website at www.susanrioseditions.com.

We could what if things to death. What if this were to happen? And what if that doesn’t happen? We spend so much time worrying about the potential outcome of a situation that we miss the whole point of it. What if the best that can possibly happen will happen? We need to ask ourselves this question more often. There is an element of trust that is necessary here. We have to trust that the universe has our back, and that whatever is in our best interest will occur. This is a tremendous leap of faith but one that is worth its weight in gold. If we live each day like it is golden, trusting that the universe will guide us in the best possible way, then the worst that can happen is the best that can happen! And the best that can happen is that we live our lives in a place of love. All is provided for. Each of us is a beautiful creature in the eyes of divine love. Each and every one of us deserves a beautiful life. And so we will have it. Because when we come from a place of love, all is beautiful, whole, and perfect.

Today’s featured artwork selection is Tea at Summer Hill by world renowned tea artist artist Susan Rios. For more information on Tea at Summer Hill and other artwork by Susan Rios please visit her website at www.susanrioseditions.com. Tea at Summer Hill is used by permission of Susan Rios.

Sometimes in life, blessings don’t come exactly as we would expect them to. They don’t come wrapped up in expensive paper tied with a bow. They come in the lessons, in what life has to teach us, and if we learn the lesson it is a blessing indeed! Everything that happens to us occurs for a reason so we need to acknowledge that this is the case, learn what we need to learn, and cherish the blessing in it. Losing a job can be a blessing if we are supposed to be doing something else. An injury is a blessing if it teaches us the power of healing or to be more careful. An animal that we love is always, always a blessing. The biggest blessing of all is love. Love can overcome any obstacle. Love can heal any wound. Try approaching every situation from a place of love and it makes it easy to see the blessings that life puts in front of us. Sometimes the blessing is not immediately revealed, but trust that in time it will be known. Seek only the blessing in any given situation and you will achieve peace.

Today’s featured piece of artwork is Morning By The Sea by the phenomenal female artist Susan Rios. Morning By The Sea is used by permission of Susan Rios. For information on Morning By The Sea and other artwork by Susan Rios, please visit her website at, www.susanrioseditions.com.

Sometimes we feel as if we get stuck in our development. We can make great leaps; and then nothing. Or so it seems. Everything that is, including our individual process of development, has a period of movement and rest. We feel stuck sometimes, but that is really only an illusion. We have the freedom of choice at any given time to make a change. The real issue is that we forget to remember the joy. The universe is so full of magnanimous joy that it is beyond our comprehension. So we disregard it sometimes and feel stuck. We can feel stuck in a pattern, stuck on someone, or stuck in a job or a way of life. The real trick to unstick things is to remember the joy. To connect with it. To honor and celebrate exactly where we are in the process right here and right now! There is so much love and joy available to us at any given moment and all we need to do is to tap into the supply. This pulls the plug immediately on being stuck. Love and joy…that is all there is to it.