Today’s Daily Prompt came just in time! This week, millions of people are working themselves into a state of anxious frustration due to holiday activities, expectations and schedules. This word is a clarion call to all of those people! Take 30 seconds right now and breathe deeply…4 seconds inhale…hold…now, 4 seconds exhale.

Oxford Dictionaries define ‘relax’ as to:

make or become less tense or anxious

Relaxing is a choice. Our external circumstances are only capable of impacting our choice unless we allow them to. We can choose to see the distraction and breathe through it…just breathe. The anxious feeling, stressful circumstance or congested shopping mall are all temporary. They will pass! But, your emotional wellbeing, family and friends are permanent and more important. Cultivate a mindset of peace and relaxation will be your state of mind and lifestyle. You will be capable of finding peace in the midst of a storm.

There is something powerful and magnetic about a person who is immovable in the midst of chaos. Peace is their lifestyle even though life is not peaceful. Joy is their response even when life is painful. These people are able to ‘see’ farther than they can ‘look’.  And it started by the simply decision to choose to trust the process and relax.

JUST.BREATHE.

via Daily Prompt: Relax

“I will attempt to make this coin vanish into thin air!” When we hear this word, our minds are taken to the images of magicians and magic tricks. To people who can manipulate our vision to see what is not there or to believe in something that is not visually possible.

This word seems pretty straight forward in terms of its definition, but, I enjoy exploring the word at a deeper level, so let’s see where it takes us!

Oxford Dictionaries define “vanish” as:

disappear suddenly and completely

I have a question for you: What do you see when you look into the mirror?

Your hair?

Your eyes?

Your acne?

Your crooked nose?

Do you see your beauty or your flaws?

For most people, their initial vision is not beauty, but their flaws. ‘Things’ that need to be corrected and/or eliminated in order for true beauty to exist. All of their existing beauty has vanished from their eyes and mind – it has disappeared completely! They cannot see it physically because their minds have convinced them that beauty does not exist there…isn’t that sad! I must admit that for most of my life, I have lived with that type of blindness. Despite what others have told me or what was right before my eyes, beauty did not exist as far as I was concerned…and I lived as such. I saw myself as less valuable and powerful than I truly was. My true self vanished from my consciousness…

Challenge yourself today – get in front of a mirror and look at your reflection. What do you see? Now, look into the eyes of your reflection…what do you ‘see’ now? Your true self has not vanished from sight – you have just refused to accept your reflection as perfect and needed. I believe you are here for a reason and that reason is waiting on YOU to accept it.

Choose YOU today!

via Daily Prompt: Vanish

Our perception shapes our reality. What we believe to be true and real IS. The mind is a powerful, creative tool in the design of our experiences. What we believe on a subconscious level, we create – whether we intend to do it or not. Let’s explore the definition of ‘construct’ from the non-building design position:

Oxford Dictionaries define construct as:

• an idea or theory containing various conceptual elements, typically one considered to be subjective and not based on empirical evidence

Many of our thoughts are a compilation of words spoken to us and over us as we journey through life. As children, we accepted these words as true and real without question. We trusted in the adults in our lives and internalized every word, action and belief directed towards us…and those words created our world. More specifically, our perception of the world. The answer to the question, “Who am I?” was deposited and immediately accepted which created the construct of our existence. We did not take the time to process what was being said, nor did we question its origin. As a result, our vision was filtered through that construct and projected an image that we accepted as real. But is it real? Or have we simply decided that it is real?

Words are seeds. Seeds produce fruit. Fruit recreate from the seed within.

As you may have noticed, I am fascinated by words and I respect them to the utmost. A carelessly deposited word can have impact for generations! Do you understand how powerful that is? There are people groups who have accepted an identity based on the words spoken centuries ago! There are children who believe they are mistakes based on the careless words of others. There are companies who hang their success on the words of consumers every day. Construct validity has shaped their experiences and beliefs.

But…

With a shift in perspective, these psychological constructs can be uprooted and destroyed – completely changed!

There was a time in my life where I absolutely REJECTED the construct of being a successful business woman. It was not a real possibility in my mind or heart. This belief was based on words spoken over me regarding my abilities to be strong, focused or competent. It was so real to me that I began to speak these words about myself, not fully understanding why. BUT NOW, I cancelled that construct and have changed my perspective. I know see the possibilities in life and the capabilities that were always within me. My perception, based on new words which I have spoken and accepted as truth, has shifted and created a new construct – one that sees possibility and not impossibility.

My current construct is seeped in possibility! And I intentionally accept this as truth. I set my filter to abundance, good and love and life has been amazing ever since!

via Daily Prompt: Construct

Have you ever had the opportunity to stand alone in a space and hear your own echo? Did you notice that every detail of your voice was reflected back towards you – quirks and all? You may wonder, “I didn’t realize I sounded like this?” Over the past 3 months, I have intentionally challenged myself to listen to my own voice and become comfortable with it. Today’s Daily Prompt reminded me of some lessons I have learned during this process. Let’s explore the word a bit more…

Echo is defined as both a noun AND a verb – a ‘thing’ and an ‘action’:

• a sound or series of sounds caused by the reflection of sound waves from a surface back to the listener (noun)
• a close parallel or repetition of an idea, feeling, style, or event (noun)
• (of a sound) be repeated or reverberate after the original sound has stopped (verb)
• repeat (someone’s words or opinions), typically to express agreement (verb)

You can notice a basic premise within this word – REPETITION AND MOVEMENT!

If our vision was powerful enough to see physical energy move, we would experience the true power of our words and our actions. We would see just how far and deep our words can penetrate a space or a mind. An echo has impact – both physically and mentally. It originates in one place, makes impact and then returns to its origin. This can be a sound, a word, a thought or an idea. The reflection of the sound can bring wholeness or brokenness, dependent on the intention of the original sound. Music echos within our minds long after the sound has ended. Dance echos within our minds long after the dancer has left the stage. Words echo within us (emotionally and spiritually) for as long as we allow them flow in our minds.

What does your life echo?

Love?

Peace?

Hurt?

Abundance?

We have a choice in what we allow to be released from us. We have the ability to decide what will radiate from our spirit to the world around us. Look at the life you are experiencing…is it the result of words, thoughts or actions that you sent out into the atmosphere and are receiving in return? Is it what you want?

Decide today what your echo will be and release it wisely!

(Please note: Images are not my own. Google has provided them all!)

via Daily Prompt: Echo

When I think of the word vigor, I instantly think of competitive sports. The passion, commitment and drive of athletes to push their bodies to the limits of their personal strength amazes me! I think of the Ironman competition and sprinters. The power and drive exhibited in their sports is undeniable!

Oxford Dictionaries defines vigor as:

• physical strength and good health

We can all agree that physical strength and good health are prerequisites to engaging in vigorous activity. But what about mental and spiritual vigor? I personally believe that having strength and good health in these areas are even more important in sports and in life.

Athletes do the same things every day on a consistent basis in order to compete at a level of excellence.

What do you focus on daily and consistently?

What does your self-talk sound like?

What do you believe about yourself? About others?

Are they thoughts that bring health, healing and wellness or lack, stress and fear?

Physical attributes of vigor are great and will gain you many accolades and awards, but, what about your mental and spiritual attributes of vigor? What would they say about you? What steps can you take today to gain strength and good health?

It all begins with a choice to change!

via Daily Prompt: Vigor

Have your senses ever been assaulted by a mere word? This is one of the words that do it for me! When I see this word, my body immediately recoils from a past experience with a pungent smell…similar to the image below. What about you?

I have shared my experience of this word on the olfactory organs of the body and the objects that stimulate that sensory response. I am most interested in the second definition of this word:

‘having a sharp and caustic quality’ (as it relates to your words)

Our words have impact. Our words can create our reality – for positive or negative results. Our words are sharp and powerful. When we consider the power that can be unleashed by one of the smallest members of our body, I am amazed how often we carelessly deposit this seeds into the world without concern for the outcome. I am convinced many are unaware of the power within them and that the life they live is directly impacted by it.

Our lives can look like this colorful, lush and beautiful garden. Filled with a harvest of words sown in love, peace, hope and wholeness. Encouraging one another, speaking love despite experiencing the opposite, standing on faith rather than fear. Those decisions produce a garden of life that would resemble this image. Does this resemble your life?

Or does this…

Through the power of your pungent, bitter and life draining words, you can manifest a garden of life that looks barren, unfruitful and desolate. Speaking words of hate towards another, harboring bitterness, walking in fear and doubt. These decisions will produce a life that no one willingly desires. But how many of us can, unfortunately, relate to these images? Take inventory of your daily self-talk. Are your words life given or life taking?

Our words mean more than the surface definition – they create life! Be intentional with your words and your thoughts! Pungent words will produce a pungent, bitter life. Do you want others to recoil when they encounter your presence? Choose your words wisely and intentionally today and wait with expectant hope for your beautiful garden of life to unfold!

via Daily Prompt: Pungent

Are we there yet? Can I open this? Have they arrived yet? Is it time? Is it time?!

This is the season of anticipation! It is everywhere you look. Television commercials, radio stations, department stores…EVERYWHERE! People are getting ready for the next fun thing and it can be very energizing to experience. Let’s take a look at the definition…

Oxford Dictionaries define anticipation as:

• the action of anticipating something; expectation or prediction

The painting above shows the typical stance of anticipation – anxiously waiting to receive. We are waiting for things to be received and given that we are expecting . Many times, these things are physical and tangible. Gifts, people, trips…all fun, amazing things.

But…

Are you anticipating the realization of your purpose? Are you excited about who you are and who you are becoming? Are you expectant of your dreams, talents and skills to be fully developed? Each day, do you sit and visualize what is possible for your life and believe it? And when you see it, does it prompt you to action? To take steps to receive? Most anticipate things to receive and just wait for it to come to them. I am challenging you to anticipate your dreams and GO GET THEM!

Anticipation is prepared action…present action. You anticipate prepared the move on it! Make a decision to take a step towards your object of anticipation. What will you do today?

via Daily Prompt: Anticipation

Recently, I have realized that I am very sensitive to manipulation. The very concept of being manipulated by another infuriates me! I feel like this image…

And I am not sure where it all begun – maybe a childhood memory of my choice being taken from me only to be ‘convinced’ that another option would be better? Or maybe I simply reject the action of taking advantage of another person’s emotions. But one of the definitions of today’s word gave me a different sentiment…let’s explore!

Oxford Dictionaries defines elicit as:

evoke or draw out (a response, answer, or fact) from someone in reaction to one’s own actions or questions

Our thoughts impact our words…

Our words impact our actions…

Our actions impact our world.

And when we impact our world, we impact everyone in it! All we need to do is turn on the television to see how our world has changed as a result of a thought that gave birth to actions that elicit fear, hate and hopelessness. One person had a thought that went unfiltered and that created a reality that is very painful to watch.

BUT…

We have also seen examples of the results of thoughts that produced words of hope, love and unity. Random acts of kindness to a homeless veteran, a generous tip given to a well-deserving restaurant worker. If you tune your eyes and ears to love, you can see love responses elicited in daily interactions among everyday people.

So what will you do today? Elicit emotions from a place of control and fear…which will only create more of the same.

Or, will you choose to elicit love responses through your right thoughts, words and actions?

SET YOUR INTENTIONS AND CHOOSE WISELY!

via Daily Prompt: Elicit

As I sit at my desk, the word that comes to mind is far from our Daily Prompt. It is 35 degrees in Maryland and my warm cup of coffee truly kept me warm as I walked into the office. So, to see a word that creates images are warm, glowing ember is welcomed! But this word contains a more damaging element. Let’s explore it!

Scorched is defined, according to Oxford Dictionaries, as:

burn the surface of (something) with flame or heat

(of the heat of the sun) cause (vegetation or a place) to become dried out and lifeless

These images create a feeling of loss and destruction that can send a chill down your spine. The dual power of fire to both warm and destroy are evident. What causes that shift in power? What can turn a flame that can comfort into a flame that can eliminate life?

Lack of Balance

We have all heard the saying, “Too much of a good thing is bad for you.” That saying is not just talking about excess of material items like food, clothing and money. Many of us have an imbalanced heart and mind. We focus too much on what we do not have rather than reflect on what we do. We think on what this country is lacking rather than the possibilities for what it can change.  We focus on how much our neighbor has rather that the blessings right under our roofs. This imbalanced thinking scorches our vision…it causes us to see a reality that is not accurate. A reality that has been impacted by our lifeless thoughts and burned out dreams. We have allowed the belief in our apparent lack to eliminate all hope from our hearts…and what is left is a scorched wasteland of unfulfilled purpose.

Our thoughts create our reality. Circumstances may lack at times, but that is a temporary condition if we decide it is. If we choose to step back, adjust our focus and balance our thinking. With these steps, we can extinguish the scorching fire our of thoughts and create a beautiful landscape of hope, peace and possibility.

What scorching thoughts are threatening your garden of life? Choose to extinguish them today with thoughts of love, hope and wholeness.

• via Daily Prompt: Scorched