I didn't know them personally, but in many ways it seems as though I did. Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, Ed McMahon. They serve as a reminder of how fleeting, fragile, and unpredictable life can be. That you really do have to make the most of each and every day, because no one is guaranteed a tomorrow. That no matter what we have planned for life, it is destiny that determines if we stay, and when we go. All we really have the ability to do is to make the most of the things that we can control...

We can love and support our bodies through proper nutrition and exercise. We can fill our minds with positive thoughts - sure life stinks sometimes and hands us stuff we don't want to deal with, but we can choose to view these times as opportunities to grow and learn, instead of turning them into pity parties and an excuse to not make the most of life. We can find a way to live inspired lives by focusing on what it is we can do to make someone else's life a little better, either by doing big things like volunteering, or choosing a career that serves others - or by each day choosing to look for the good in everyone, to share a smile with everyone whose path you cross, to give of yourself and your possessions. Because it is in this kind of giving that our lives become richer, our sense of purpose stronger, our lives more meaningful.

We are not perfect, our lives are not either. It is not how life was intended to be, because if that was God's plan, it would be. I think we were put on this earth not only to learn lessons, but to be lessons. For me Michael Jackson became the lesson that money and fame can't buy the really valuable things in life. Farah Fawcett demonstrated that medicine alone can't heal us, that healing is a function of the body, mind and spirit. And from Ed McMahon I learned that it's far better to laugh than cry.

Iam saddened to think that these talented, larger than life people are gone. But they aren't really because their contributions to the world will live on. And I also find peace in knowing that Heaven is now filled with a bit more rhythm, beauty, and laughter. ~ Andrea :-)

Not a day goes by that I don't find inspiration from some wise person's inspiring words - written or spoken words that capture the essence of an emotion I am feeling, or offer encouragement to keep going, to keep trying. Yesterday I came across this Peale quote...after reading it I almost didn't jot it down in my inspiration notebook. But I'm glad I did because after rereading this simple quote I started thinking: if you take failure off the table as an option, then failure is no longer a possible outcome.

I remember watching an interview with Will Smith and his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, a few years ago. They were discussing the success of their marraige and I was intriqued by the pledge they had made to one another when they got married: divorce is not an option. They decided on the day they took their vows that no matter what happened they would have to find another way to work through their problems, because divorce was never going to be on the table - it was, and is, not an option for them. And though they said they have been through some challenging times as a couple, they know they are going to have to find another way to work things out because they had made this pledge, and intended to keep it.

Peale's quote got me thinking - what if no matter what challenge, no matter what struggle, no matter what difficulty you are facing in life - what if quitting is not an option? I am not talking about an extreme action, but rather the self-defeating thinking of thoughts such as "I don't think I can do this..." not being a part of the dialogue in your head. What if the word "quit" or "failure" are not a part of your vocabulary...and every time you think, "I can't..." you stop yourself from that kind of thinking, and replace it with thoughts of, "Sure I can...it's tough and hard to see my way through this, but I am going to keep pusing, to keep trying, by taking one small step after another..."

Someting tells me that if failure is not a possiblity, success is inevitable - sooner or later.
~ Andrea :-)

I am a huge fan of Dr. Wayne Dyer and was excited to learn he just released a new book, along with a DVD of his PBS presentation on the philosophies in Excuses Be Gone.

As always, Dr Dyer did not disappoint. His philosophies changed my life several years ago - his lectures on the power of our thoughts and inner beliefs transformed and empowered me. His new book and lecture expands on these teachings...and are a great reminder of the personal power we each have to change our lives.

Here are a few excerpts from his lecture (I haven't had a chance to read the book yet):

• Never underestimate your power to change yourself...never overestimate your power to change others.
• When you correct your mind everything else will fall into place.
• Think flexible, be humble.
• Live in the present moment.
• How we perceive what is going on inside of us can change out DNA.
• We don't attract that which we want, we attract that which we are.
• Every action is a choice, try choosing not excusing!
• Move away from excuses.
• With God all things are possible.
• All excuses are misalignments.
• Contemplation is the highest form of activity.
• Willingness is suspending all blame and taking total responsiblity for all in your life.
• Imagination is the greatest gift you have been given.
• The subconscious is where things manifest - feelings are manifesters!

Thank you Dr. Dyer for another opportunity to expand my horizons by connecting to my inner power and letting of limiting beliefs and blocks! ~ Andrea :-)

(To learn more about Dr. Dyer's book visit his website: www.drwaynedyer.com)