We have all dreamed the BIG dream, and fantasized about living exciting adventurous lives. But how many of us go on to live our dreams? Or do our dreams remain just that – dreams?

There is nothing worst than getting caught up in the humdrum of living from day-to-day and just drifting along. You must not let this happen. You need to dream and dream big, and then you will need to take ACTION; otherwise you will end up looking back at your life and thinking, what if…

Remember, life could be so much better.

The most common problem to setting goals is thinking too much about how you are going to achieve the goal, and not spending enough time on just DOING IT. You can start to over analyze and decide you can’t do it. It’s too hard. It’s too impossible.

But you’ll be amazed with what you can achieve if you really want it bad enough. Then the impossible becomes possible. If you limit yourself with self-doubt, you will never be able to achieve your dreams.

Remember that scientists were baffled when they took a look at the bumblebee. Theoretically, they said, it was impossible for the bumblebee to fly. Fortunately no one told the bumblebee this, so fly it does.

However, there are some people who suffer from dreaming outrageous dreams, and even if they took massive action towards their goal would still fall short. The result is a broken dream.

The trick is to not limit your imagination. You want to aim high, and start working towards your dream little by little, but to not set a dream that is truly unrealistic.

The moment you focus on your dream, your dream becomes a magnet, pulling you and your resources toward it. The more focused your energies, the more power you generate.

Impossible dreams can become reality with focus, perseverance and sheer desire. If you are going to attain your dreams you need discipline and work. Those who just dream towards a goal without working hard end up disillusioned and disappointed. Thomas Edison once said that genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration.

So dream on. Think big; take action and work hard to achieve your dreams.

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Achieve Your Dreams

You can use any kind of box, from an empty shoe box to a decorative wooden or glass box. Write all of your current worries on a sheet of paper (or you can use a fresh sheet for each worry). When you can’t think of any other worries, put the sheet(s) of paper into the box, close it and store it away on a high shelf nearby.

If worries begin to nag at you again while you’re trying to stay focused, glance at your worry box and remind yourself that you don’t have to worry about anything right now because you’ve placed your worries in that box. Affirm that you can pick up your worries again later if you really want to.

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Create a Worry Box

That person … your soul-mate … is probably dreaming about you this very moment.

Wouldn’t it be incredible if you could meet each other and share life’s magnificent experiences?

Well, despite there being millions upon millions of people on this planet, finding that special someone isn’t as difficult as it seems. You just need to be clear about who you are and what you want!

Write Your Wish List

Who is your ideal soul-mate? What qualities does this person have that are important to you? What interests, beliefs and characteristics might you share?

Build up a picture of your soul-mate, adding on all those special, relevant qualities that make a difference to you. Be as specific and choosy as you need to be, but do allow for some flaws. Remember, no one is perfect! And don’t set impossible standards that you can’t meet for yourself.

Are You Ready for Your Soul-Mate?

What are YOUR most endearing qualities? What are your strengths and weaknesses? What can you offer your soul-mate? Are you ready to love and share life with someone unconditionally?

Consider if you’re actually ready to meet your soul-mate. Reflect on who you are and what you can offer a potential partner. Be true - especially to yourself - otherwise you could end up attracting someone who isn’t right for you. And, remember, be positive and believe in yourself.

Set Clear Intention

Preparing yourself and knowing what you want from a soul-mate not only helps you reflect on the qualities that are important to you, it also enables you to set clear intentions about what really matters.

When you are clear about what you want and what you can give, you start sending out the right energetic signal and attract the type of people that will enrich your life.

Just like cosmic ordering, setting your intentions and following up with action causes energies to align to put you on the right path.

You increase your chances of not only finding your soul-mate, but also making some really good friends along the way!

Create Opportunities for Meeting Your Soul-Mate

Use what you have discovered from writing your wish list to find your potential soul-mate.

If you have a specific interest which you’d like to share with someone special, join a club, society or enrol on a course where others of like-mind are likely to be.

For example, if you enjoy film, join your local film society. If you read a lot, join a book club meeting.

Looking for someone special who is spiritual, philosophical, eco-conscious or creative? Then it’s definitely worth joining a friendship service such as `Natural Friends’ (UK site) or ‘Spiritual Singles ‘ (International site).

When you actively start looking for your soul-mate, and are clear about the type of person with whom you’d like to share life’s amazing experience, then opportunities will appear.

You may find your soul-mate on a friendship website or on a course that you’ve both signed up for. As the universe is known to work in mysterious ways, you could actually bump into that special someone totally out of the blue and usually when you’re not even thinking about it.

Be Patient!

Learn to go with the flow. Frustration and worrying about whether you’ll find someone is counter-productive and creates negative energy. Not only will this make you miserable, but it’ll send out the wrong signal. You don’t want your soul-mate to pass you by. When the time is right, someone special will appear and you may know instantly from the moment you meet!

Smile and Enjoy the Journey

The happier you are in yourself, the more ready you are for entering into a meaningful and fulfilling relationship. So, keep working on your own personal development. Relax, enjoy the journey and make lots of wonderful friends along the way. But just remember …be careful what you wish for as it could come true!

Post from: Better Life Choices

Find Your Soul-Mate

When you engage in creative activities, you tap into the essence of yourself. Some might call this your soul, your spirit, or your divine nature. This is the part of you that experiences consciousness, the part of you that loves and laughs and feels joy, and yes, creates. It is the part of you that is the unique expression of who you are at a core level.

When you’re out of touch with your creative authentic self, your life may take on shades of grey. You may find yourself feeling bored, uninspired, depressed, aimless, or disinterested in just about everything.

When you awaken your authentic self, your life takes on brilliant colours. Everything around you seems brighter and clearer and more robust, including your work, your energy, your relationships, and even the food you eat.

When you do your photography, or even make an effort to think more creatively, you automatically tap into this core essence of yourself. This can benefit and enhance your life in many ways, but here are just a few:

You feel calmer and happier with yourself. You are able to be genuine in your relationships with others, as well as being honest and respectful with yourself. The better you feel about yourself, the more likely you are to continue taking time to indulge your creative side, which keeps the positive cycle going.

You experience and hold less stress in your body and mind. You are better able to let go of unproductive thoughts and you may discover that little things don’t seem to bother you as much as they once did.

You are more in touch with your passion, and passion has the ability to transform nearly any situation in your life. Connecting with your authentic self through creative pursuits gets you in touch with your inner passion and awakens your intuition about how to use it effectively.

If you take it a step further and make your creative pursuits a high priority, sit back and watch in wonder as your authentic self awakens and takes over your entire life, painting it with rich colours, pleasing scents and meaningful experiences.

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Creative Pursuits

Small woodlands are bought for a wide variety of pursuits including woodland walks, picnics, archery, badger watching, treasure hunts, woodworking, mountain biking, paintballing, bird watching, and tree climbing.

Having your own small woodland also provides a safe, natural environment for all your family and friends to enjoy.

There are also very good ecological reasons for buying and replenishing woodland. You are able to reduce carbon footprint by putting something back, and help stop the erosion of natural habitat that is happening so fast in the UK.

It gives you the chance to put your money into woodland management such as coppicing, tree planting, harvesting and logging in a sustainable way. Also something to think about is a ‘green burial’ which is now seen as friendlier to the environment and more natural than cremations!

If you are looking to make an income from your private woodland, then you need to look at your figures carefully and do some research. Normally only larger woodlands yield any substantial revenue from timber sales, and on most woodlands there are limits on how much can be felled per annum and the majority of the trees must be replenished.

There are some revenue generating opportunities with woodland that may be worth looking at, like charcoal burning, selling mature timber and hiring out the woodland to various groups.

Woodland can be a good investment, but it has to be in the right location. It’s unlikely that any woodland would ever obtain planning permission to build a home on the land, so if you decide to sell your woodland in the future, it would be to someone buying the land for pleasure and enjoyment.

You can put non-permanent structures such as sheds or tree houses in woodland and you can also camp in a caravan for up to 28 days per year.

Below are a few companies who have private woodlands for sale:

• Woodlands4sale. Specialising in the sales of small woodlands in England and Wales for recreation, wildlife conservation and investment. Website: www.woods4sale.co.uk
• Woodlands. A small family business, whose objective is to help people to find woodlands of a manageable size. Website: www.woodlands.co.uk
• Lochaber Estates. They make it simple for you to purchase a Scottish woodland site, and purchase a piece of Scotland, forever yours. Website; www.scottishwoodland.com

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Buy a Woodland Site

Professor Ericsson goes on to say, “These people don’t necessarily have an especially high IQ, but they almost always have very supportive environments, and they almost always have important mentors. And the one thing they always have is this incredible investment of effort.”

So it seems the ability we’re so fond of calling genius arises not from inherent gifts but from an interplay of good (but not extraordinary) natural ability, quality instruction, and lots of work.

Thomas Edison said, “Genius is one percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration”. If we examine closely even the most extreme examples - Mozart, Newton, Einstein - and you find more hard-won mastery than gift. Geniuses are made, not born.

Professor Ericsson said, “It makes me think that even the most ordinary among us should be careful about saying we can’t do great things, because people have proven again and again that most people can do something extraordinary if they’re willing to put in the exercise. On the other hand, it’s a bit overwhelming to look at what these people have to do. They generally invest about five times as much time and effort to become great as an accomplished amateur does to become competent. It’s not something everyone’s up for.”

Studies of chess masters and highly successful artists, writers, scientists and musicians usually find their IQs to be above average, typically in the 115 to 130 range - impressive enough, but hardly as rarefied as their achievements and abilities.

Conversely, there was a study done of adult graduates of New York City’s Hunter College, where the admission criterion was an IQ of at least 130 and where the mean IQ was 157 (”genius” territory). The study showed most of the Hunter graduates ended up successful and reasonably content with their lives, but they had not reached the heights of accomplishment, either individually or as a group, that their IQs might have suggested.

In the words of study leader Rena Subotnik, “There were no superstars, no Pulitzer Prize or MacArthur Award winners, and only one or two familiar names.” The genius these elite students showed in their IQs remained on paper.

Take Stephen Hawking, who likes to dismiss questions about his IQ by saying, “People who boast about their IQ are losers,” and was a middling student and achiever until his mid-twenties. Only then did he catch fire - and begin working obsessively - while collaborating with fellow physicist Roger Penrose on black-hole theory.

Another study in 1985 of 120 elite athletes, performers, artists, biochemists and mathematicians showed that every single person in the study took at least a decade of hard work or practice to achieve international recognition.

The same even goes for those few who seem born with supreme talent. Mozart was playing the violin at 3 years of age and received expert, focused instruction from the start. He was precocious, writing symphonies at age 7, but he didn’t produce the work that made him a giant until his teens.

Genius must be built. Maybe we should shelve the notion of genius as an innate gift and speak instead of expertise, talent or even greatness - terms that hint at the underlying work needed to achieve supreme accomplishment.

“Everyone is a genius at least once a year. The real geniuses simply have their bright ideas closer together.” - Georg Christoph Lichtenberg

“Our creative genius is the fountainhead of originality. It fires our compulsion to evolve. It inspires us to challenge norms. Creative genius is about flying to new heights on untested wings. It is about the danger of crashing.” - Gordon MacKenzie

Click Here to uncover your own Inner Genius – the easy way.

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How to be a Genius

Try the following tried and tested suggestions:

1. No matter how busy you are, give yourself at least 10 minutes meditation time on a daily basis so that you can switch off and relax. Find yourself a quiet space where you won’t be disturbed. Switch off the phone, play a meditation tape or some relaxing music and focus on being still.
2. Take up a stress-busting session of Tai Chi or Yoga. Both activities are well-known for their ability to combat stress. You’ll also enhance your overall health and fitness with regular practice too!
3. Do a life audit! Look for ways that you can free-up more time so that you can improve your work-life balance.
4. Make decisions that nurture you. Learn to say `no’ to stressful situations. Only take on what you feel you can cope with.
5. Organise your day and make a priority list of things to do. The more organised and efficient you are, the less stressed you’ll be.
6. Treat yourself to a relaxing aromatherapy massage. The pure essential oils will lighten your spirit and the massage will help ease any muscular knots and tension caused by stress.
7. Ensure that you eat nutritiously and drink plenty of water. Good eating habits will help maintain a healthy outlook and your water intake is vital to bring about clarity of mind.
8. Feeling particularly stressed? Relax with a cup of green tea! Green tea is rich in anti-oxidants and is also renowned for its calming properties.
9. Spend time with those you love. Relax, play games, walk and just focus on the present moment. Let past or future issues go for now and just enjoy being in the present.
10. When was the last time you laughed out loud? If you have to think about it, then it’s too long! Laughter is fantastic medicine for beating stress, and you should laugh every single day. Watch one of your favourite comedy films or have a family laughter hour. It’s a fantastic way to spend some time and you’ll feel tension and stress just slip away.

To feel your stress melt away click here.

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10 Ways to Naturally Reduce Stress

Dawn breaks and out of the morning mist, people emerge like ghosts quietly moving in sequence. This is the daily ritual in China as hundreds congregate in parks and fields, each finding their own space to perform the elegant discipline known as Tai Chi.

The Chinese elders are surprisingly agile, bending and flexing their bodies with apparent ease as they calmly practise the art of `meditation in motion’. To see these people, many grey and wizened on the outside but emanating all the energy of youth, you can only assume that Tai Chi is the elixir for a long and healthy life.

Generations of Chinese believe that correct body movement and posture is synonymous with good vitality. They consider Tai Chi, with its combination of exercise and meditative focus, as a means of moving and balancing the `chi’ (internal energy) through the meridians, or energy pathways, in the body. This vital force is what enhances health and well-being.

Tai Chi, also known as the `grand ultimate’, has its roots in martial arts. Despite its slow, graceful appearance, the forms or sequences are made-up of self-defence techniques that only become apparent when demonstrated at speed. Although it seems to lack the dynamics of other martial arts, Tai Chi is certainly a powerful system and not to be underestimated. Masters of the art have demonstrated its effectiveness as a self-defence tool time and time again. These days, it is fundamentally used to improve and maintain health and wellness.

Engaging mind, body and spirit, the series of controlled movements flow into an eloquent sequence. Just to watch a skilful practitioner performing Tai Chi is a deeply calming experience. Movement is fluent and almost rhythmical and there is a timeless quality that is totally engaging.

In China, many families consider Tai Chi to be just as important as the daily ritual of sleeping and eating. Just 20-30 minutes of exercise each day is enough to revive a tired spirit and instil a wonderful sense of well-being. Although elders appreciate this gentle exercise system for its ease of application, it is a regime also commonly practised by people of all ages. It is excellent for relieving tension and stress-related conditions. Regular practise can improve health on all levels and has proved beneficial in treating existing conditions.

Yang style Tai Chi, founded by Yang Luchan in the 18th century, is still the most popular and widely practised style. It is characterised by its easy, nimble and leisurely pace, which combines vigour with grace. There are many other styles of Tai Chi to include Wu and Chen to suit people of all ages and abilities. All styles are highly valued and there is mutual respect for each system.

Learning Tai Chi

• It is important to find a reputable instructor. Check out your local classes and see whom you feel at ease with. Some traditional instructors still teach the martial arts element while others purely concentrate on teaching the art for health benefits.
• You will need to wear loose, comfortable clothing and soft, plimsoll shoes. Some classes have their own set uniform comprising of either a traditional mandarin suit or t-shirt and leggings.
• Don’t expect too much from the early lessons. It takes time and effort to learn the art and it isn’t something you will master in just a few weeks.
• Although you will certainly make friends with people already practising the art, you may like to consider embarking on a course of training with a friend. This is helpful as it means you can practise the techniques in-between lessons and run through aspects of the art to strengthen your knowledge and appreciation.
• Relax and go with the flow of the lessons. Feel the benefits.

There are different elements to Tai Chi practice. Learning solo forms is fundamental to the art but can take quite a while to learn and a lifetime to then master. There is partner work that concentrates on developing the `chi’ – the internal energy - and building sensitivity and awareness. Qi gong, comprising of stationary exercises aimed at mobilising and regulating vital energy, is also integral to the practice. In the later stages, students learn more advanced forms such as the Tai Chi sword form.

Tai Chi is excellent if you are recovering from illness or injury or haven’t exercised for a while. When performed properly, Tai Chi puts the muscles through a reasonably thorough work-out.

Tai Chi can be practised anywhere and this daily discipline, treasured by the Chinese, is a way of bringing peace, health and harmony into your life. Why not give it a try? There are classes available throughout the country and even a short course will give you a solid introduction to the benefits of this graceful, health-enhancing art.

For more information on how Tai Chi can change your life click here.

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Time Out with Tai Chi

Whether you want to start your own business, travel the world, live your passion or downsize so that you have more time for you and your family, it all begins with some considered planning. But first it pays to know the excuses that hold some people back and make sure that you don’t fall victim to the `condition’.

Most people are apprehensive about trying to make their dreams reality because of the sense of risk and insecurity. They find that their current situation, although secure and comfortable, makes them unhappy to the core. Yet, to move on to living a happier, more contented life requires you to step out of your comfort zones for a while to embrace change. It’s only when you’ve gained the courage to do this that you realise that what you though of as `comfort zones’ weren’t comfortable at all. Another issue is that of procrastination. It’s so easy to put things off for another day, but more often than not, that `other day’ never arrives. One lost moment can never be regained so it’s important to act now! Don’t become an arm chair dreamer who is full of regrets for not having tried. Create time to make good things happen. Once the dream is alive, the rewards will be a more enriching way of life.

So, where to start? First, take pen and paper to write down your thoughts, ideas and your plan of action …

Create Your Wish List

Do you really know what you want? Perhaps you have a vague idea that you’d love to travel … but where to? Perhaps you want to start your own business … but doing what? In setting up your wish list, you need to identify and write down your specific goals. Bring colour and form to them by adding flesh and bones to your dreams. If you want to travel, decide where. If you want to set up a rural business, decide exactly what you want to do and where you’d like to do it. Visualise exactly what you want. This way, you are bringing your wishes to life; they become more real and attainable. And, equally important, they’ll make you even hungrier for achieving your goals.

Confirm Why You Want to Change

Have you asked yourself why you want to change your life? It perhaps seems quite obvious but it helps to write down your reasons. You may likely say that it’s because you hate your present job, or you’re fed-up of rush hour traffic jams or your long hours don’t give you any time for yourself and family. At this point, rather than dwelling on the negatives of your circumstances, start focusing on the positive aspects of what your new life will bring, such as a job you love, more time for yourself, a sense of meaning to life, etc. Focus on these benefits and keep reminding yourself why you’re making the changes to your life.

Plan Your Action

Now write down what needs to be done to ensure that you achieve your goals. This requires plenty of time to think through the pros and cons but writing it down is akin to creating a contract to yourself and one which will help you remember the steps that need to be taken. Your action plan can be as simple or as detailed at you need it to be. It can be scribbled on a piece of A4 paper or you can elaborate it in a PowerPoint presentation. Be as creative as you feel. What’s important is that you divide your action into manageable steps. Make it your daily `to-do’ list. Just like architect plans are drawn to build a house, your plan will assist you in building a new life.

Be Realistic!

Some dreams just won’t come to pass because the dreamer has set unrealistic targets. If you’re waiting until you win the lottery before you move home or before you embark on a trip of a lifetime, then you could be sorely disappointed or waiting for a very long time. The key to successful achievement is to set realistic goals and targets. Consider your options and resources and acknowledge what is available to you. Then, assess what else you need to acquire to get you where you want to be. What are you prepared to do for your dreams? How far will you go? Analyse your responses and have a reality check. You’ll then find it easier to create a way that will lead you to your goals.

Take One Step at a Time

You’re on the road now to creating a better life for yourself. Work through your action plan; make it your religion for the foreseeable future to remain committed to your goals. If you weaken at any point, consult a Life Coach who will help you keep on track. Step-by-step, you’ll get there. It’s just like writing a book. Most novelists commit to producing anything from a few hundred to a few thousand words each day in their goal to write their novel. It’s not something that necessarily happens over-night; these things can take some time to unfold and you need to go at a manageable pace, but stay motivated by reminding yourself of your goals and the fact that you’re already on your journey. Effectively, you’re already part way there.

Banish Avoidance Tactics

What’s stopping you from `walking your talk’? Do you have too many obstacles in your way … family ties, lack of finances, low energy, too many commitments, etc? Often, these are excuses for not making changes and this is holding you back from reaching your full potential. Turn these hurdles to your advantage. Obstacles can be an incredible catalyst if you have a positive outlook. Analyse each issue … is this really stopping you from living the dream? If it is a problem, how can you solve it? Can you reach a compromise? Be creative in your thinking. There are ways and means of tackling any obstacles, so throw out any avoidance tactics and charge ahead.

Reflect on Your Progress

Where will you be in 3, 6, 12 months time? Are you any closer to living your dream? Taking time to reflect on your progress is important. If you feel that you’ve fallen behind schedule or even find yourself off the path, then you need to ask why. Your action plan might need modifying so be prepared for changes along the way. You’ve got to be adaptable and open-minded.

Be Positive!

Ultimately, what keeps you on course is having the right attitude and outlook. Stepping out of comfort zones requires a positive mind set so that you stay motivated and determined throughout. Believe that anything is possible. Surround yourself with other positive people who make you feel good. Don’t let any negative comments get you down. Well-meaning family and friends might question you or cast doubts upon your plans, but don’t let them distract you from your quest for happiness. Stay determined.

Imagine your success. For example, visualise yourself running your own business or engaged on your travels or living on your canal boat, or whatever makes life meaningful to you. Your positive outlook will help you get through any challenges and keep you on course.

Life is too short to be secure yet unhappy. Who wants to grow old thinking `if only…’? We never know what’s round the corner except the only certainty in life … at some point, we die. So what have you got to lose? Making your dreams reality gives you a more authentic, contented life. It will still have its `ups and downs’ but when you’re living the life you want, you’ll be happier and richer for it.

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Yes You Can!

1. Write down why you want to downshift and create an action plan of how you’re going to do it.
2. Tally up all your outgoings, including those day-to-day expenses such as snacks, newspapers and meals out. Start reducing your expenditure on luxuries now! Before you purchase anything, ask yourself whether you really need it. If not, save your money and let it work in a more positive way to bring you the lifestyle you desire.
3. Look out for bargain buys for clothes, footwear and essentials.
4. Start paying off your debts and don’t take on any credit card purchases or store cards.
5. With the spare money you have each month, build up a cash fund in a savings account to cover for emergencies.
6. Reduce your clutter - sell anything that you no longer require to raise some extra income towards your move.
7. Be more self-sufficient. Start learning about what you will need to do to take care of yourself and your family in your new lifestyle. Will you be growing your own vegetables and tending to livestock? Learn as much as possible before you start.
8. If you are planning to move, could you buy without a mortgage? If not, could you re-mortgage at a better rate?
9. Take control of your finances. Is your spare cash earning the best rate in the market? Seek advice.
10. Plan how you will keep income coming in when you adopt your new life style. Will you be setting up a new business? If so, research, gain experience and plan thoroughly for the best chance of success.
11. Do a SWOT analysis on your downshifting plans to be aware of your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.
12. If you’re downshifting with a partner or family, make sure everyone is completely happy with the changes that will take place.

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12 Downshifting Tips