I have been accused (and rightly so) of being an "Eternal Optimist" all my life. And have been told to get my head out of the Clouds and my feet on the Earth, where they belong. For many people, that is the way they were born or raised and I'm not sure where this particular trait comes from. IS it something we are born with? Or is it something that is instilled in us as Children, to reach for the Sky? I know a few things: that I was raised to at LEAST try to do what I had my heart set on, even if it was completely impractical and to be persistent. Not to be competitive, but to do things for yourself.
Sometimes it has gotten me no where. I LOVE to go out to the driving range and have always wanted to try and play golf. I did, I just don't have the strength or enough information to overcome that (if there is a way). I went for lessons and had the instructor tell me it just "wasn't my game." Too bad!
In teaching my children, though, I taught them to be every bit as impractical as I am. And motivated. I'm not sure if that was the BEST way, but it was my way. There are some simple things we use for Children in Feng Shui (ah, you KNEW I was getting at that!) that I have found to be a great motivational tool for children. And I ask my clients to use it and if their children are old enough, to have them participate.
I think of all the things I have learned in life, the hard knocks along with the wonderful learning experiences that have all contributed to what we have ultimately become. We don't need to be reminded of the difficult times, they can stay with us so we don't make the same mistake again. A Principle of Feng Shui (you KNEW I was getting there, right?) is "Get Your Name out to The Universe." Practical advice, right? We all do that by marketing and promoting ourselves and our professions. But Fame is more then that: It is not only who you are now but what you WANT to become and be known as. Not only as a wonderful Agent, Stager or what your profession is but maybe also as a terrific parent.
Some of us create a "Fame" or what I like to call it, Accomplishment Wall for our children. It is not a Feng Shui tool so much as a motivational tool that they see every day and are reminded of all they have already earned in life....as small as it may see at the time. And they are never too young to start:
I love that children have personalized things. Painting their name (for those who are creative) or putting it on the top of a wall, framed in RED is the first thing I suggest. Many parents already have personalized things but put their name on TOP on a wall on their bedroom where they will see it every day. And leave a space after that.
Then start adding the accomplishments that you may be tucking away, no matter how small it seems. It could be a picture they have drawn that they are particularly proud of, a good report card, a small button they have received for some merit. Remember, every thing they have won, they have EARNED. Keep adding to the wall as they grow; the accomplishments get bigger as they do and when they realize all they have already accomplished, it spurs them on to try to accomplish more.
Why the space in between the name and the accomplishments? It's likely the will change their minds as they grow on what they want to become (or bring into their lives). These can be changed as often as necessary to address their latest passion...and attract to them what they are seeking NOW.
This wall, by the way, is not only for children. How many of YOUR wonderful accomplishments and achievements have you tucked away because you no longer do them or use them? You have earned every one of them. And what do you want to bring into your life? It doesn't have to be profound, it has to be something you want to do or try that you have not done yet in life. I have been fortunate enough to have travelled many places in my life, but never got to Paris. I won't give you three guesses to know what you'd find on MY wall.
Sounds just like the Vision Board that The Secret asks you to put up, doesn't it? Try it, for yourselves and your children and see what comes into YOUR life.
Hi Carole-
Optimism is nothing more than a choice we make each and every day! Life is what we make it. What we focus on grows. It has been proven over and over again. Rock on girlfriend. You are so very on the mark. It is so easy to blame everyone else for everything that happens when what we should be doing is seeing each obstacle for the opportunity it represents. How many opportunities do we miss to grow and learn each day? Thanks for your post. Optimism is too rare. Keep it up girl! We all need just a bit more to redirect our path.
Hi Carole,
Like yourself, I am an 'eternal optimist' and look only for the good in everything...and I suppose that is why I have chosen to call you 'friend'....you ARE a refreshing breath of fresh air in an otherwise often 'stale' world of 'impossibility' thinkers!
Love this post Carole!
VAL
I wear my rose-colored glasses when I golf - and I have three eternal golf priniciples.
The little white ball is just that - sometimes it flies through the air with a beautiful arc. and sometimes, it... just...doesn't.....
Don't give up on it - its a huge challenge for people who have done it forever. Keep dream....
HI Renee, I did try for a long time because I really liked it.....which doesn't make up for my pure lack of strength at trying to drive that ball!! But you make it sound wonderful....Maybe I can try ONE more time :)
Thanks so much for the encouragement!
I LOVE your posts, Carole !
glad I caught this one before I head off into dreamland.... I will re-read it tomorrow when I am less tired as I think there is a lot of stuff in it that my brain is just too tired to fully take in tonight.
Jo
My little sister and myself made a huge vision board in the mid eighties with 4 full sized poster boards all stapled together to make a large square completely covering the end wall of our kitchen. We spent hours and hours cutting up magazines and pasting our fondest desires and wishes on that board. What made it unique other than the obvious is we each had long strands of colored yarn...3 for her and 3 for me...hers attached to the left side and mine to the right and long pins at the ends. Each day we would keep our pins on what we wanted to focus on or change them. We both got whatever we wanted at the time. It was a great time for us.
My sister told me just last week that she had started another vision board. Look out!