Your Are Never Alone

You are never alone or helpless.  The force that guides the stars guides you too ~ Shrii Shrii Anandamurti

Accomplishing a lofty dream goal can certainly be daunting.  Because you're doing it independently of most people you know on a close basis, that can make the task seem even more isolating.

But like the quote says, remember, the force in the universe is guiding you.  It's also why you need to seek out and become a part of the community in which your goal resides.

I've talked about having goal buddy to work with.  In direct sales, we called them business buddies.  When I was in school, we called them study buddies.  I have a whole slew of writing buddies both on Twitter and Facebook.  And it's that community to which I turn when I start feeling isolated.

Have you developed a network of goal-oriented buddies to help you when you're feeling isolated?

Energy Creates Energy

Life begets life.  Energy creates energy.  It is by spending oneself that one becomes rich ~ Sarah Bernhardt

Energy does create energy.  Have you ever dreaded doing a chore, but once you dove in and got going, it felt really good to have accomplished the chore?  We have a project at work that's like that.  It always out there and we dread doing it, but once we get going it feels like quest that must be conquered.

I've experienced he same thing in my writing.  Of course, when I started I was excited and happy to finally be writing a novel after two years of searching for topic.  Then work and life got in the way, I hadn't figured out the direction, and it seemed like a big behemoth project that needed to be completed.  Once I figured out how to fit the writing in my daily life and the outline for the novel, things moved along quickly and I finished the first draft of the manuscript this year.

Then I experienced the same sort of dread when it came to editing.  And I've been through that twice.  The first round of edits frustrated me because I kept missing stupid typo mistakes.  The second round of editing loomed in front of me because I knew I needed to make some changes, but once again, didn't know where to start.

So whatever step in your dream journey is intimidating you, go ahead and start into it.  Soon, you'll find it's not so bad after all and you'll feel like you accomplished something once you're done.

What chore has been intimidating you lately?

When the Limo Breaks Down

Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down ~ Oprah Winfrey

If you haven't already done so, I hope you've found a "buddy" to work alongside as you reach your dreams.  If you have, hopefully this is a buddy who will ride the bus with you when the limo breaks down.

Have you reached out and helped your buddy lately?  I'd love to hear!

The Quicksand I Walk On

I worship the quicksand he walks in ~ Art Buchwald

This line is also in the movie Steel Magnolias.  It reminds me that as much as I work to develop routines and habits that help me reach my goals, it can all crumble very easily if you don't keep up on it.

What I've learned recently, is that that routines that are good for us, working out, working on our goals, are sometimes so hard to get into.  Now once I've gotten into them, they've been very easy to maintain.  But, once I've fallen out of those routines, it can be very hard to get back to them as well.

Keep at the routines you've established to help you achieve your goals.  If you fall out of them, figure out why you fell out and then make the adjustments necessary to get back to them.  Once you're reached your goals, and ultimately your vision, you'll be glad you did.

What have you done to rescue your routines from the quicksand lately?

Meditation

Here's to the bliss that sets in while meditating ~ Jill Badonsky

I've never been to any classes on mediation.  As a Christian, I pray and that is a form of meditation.

While working on my novel, I had to meditate a couple of times.  The first time was back in February when I wanted desperately to finish the novel this year.  The second time I sat down and meditated was recently when I needed to do a second rewrite that included a revamping of the first two chapters.

So whether you're stuck on your dream journey or things are going well, meditation can help move you forward.  Do you meditate?  I'd love to hear!

Art

Art is the most intense mode of individualism that the world has known ~ Oscar Wilde

I've stated before that when one does a task well, I consider that art.  So I'd like you to consider that anything you do well could be the most intense mode of individualism that the world has known.  Many successful people in are seen as experts in their professions and called to share with others about their experiences. 

When you're on a dream journey, seek out others who are ahead of you on your dream journey or those that have achieved the goal you're working on.  Seek out their experiences and glean what you can from them. 

In the past, when I've been in the position of mentor, it usually helps me hone my skills and not be lazy, especially if I'm trying to teach someone else.  I have a couple of writing mentors out there with which I touch base from time to time.  It's always refreshing and inspirational to hear from them.

Today's post also reminds me I need to add a page on my web site for writer resources.  Maybe that will be my focus for this week.

I'd love to hear about how your mentors have helped your dream journey!

Small Towns

I hate small towns because once you've seen the cannon in the park there's nothing else to do ~ Lenny Bruce

I grew up in a small town, so I know all about this.  I will say some of my favorite rest and relaxation spots around the country are in little towns.  They are perfect for "reading" weekends.

I hope whatever you're doing this weekend you were able to work towards your dream goal or your 2012 resolutions.  Have a great weekend!