Good morning! Optimism is a key that opens doors and opportunities. There is a story about a man who is locked in a room with a closed door. He is frustrated, negative and miserable. “I’ll never be able to get out of here with that door closed,” he mumbles while sitting and staring at the doorknob. He is so busy staring at the closed door that he never notices the open window.

Negativity causes people to focus only on what can’t be, while missing all the avenues that can lead to opportunity and success. Optimism makes people more pleasant to be around and an optimist is bound to enjoy life and live a fuller life than that of a pessimist.

Sometimes our negativity is verbal and directed outward at society or others in our home. Other times we may say negative statements to ourselves like, “I look terrible today,” or “I’ll never accomplish what I want.” These statements are harmful and eat away at our self-image.

Optimism, appreciation, faith and belief are some of life’s most important survival tools. We need to practice them and cherish them daily so we can pass them onto others.

Your Turn
Be aware that negative statements often turn into negative outcomes. Look for the positive in situations and encourage your child to do the same. If you find you are battling negative thinking or negative self talk, try our online 10 Day Attitude Makeover class which begins today. To learn more about this course, visit http://brooknoel.com/shop/classes/10-day-attitude-makeover/

Your Affirmation
Each day I demonstrate optimism, appreciation, faith and belief.

Good morning! Have you ever heard someone say, “I’ll do that once I ___ (fill in the blank) ____”? Or have you ever said that yourself? This quote reminds us of the fundamental truth - in order to get anywhere different, we must begin by doing what we can, with what we have, where we are.

We can see this principle in action through a very simple example. If we want to take a trip to Orlando, a plane isn’t likely to magically appear, nor will hotel reservations. First we have to do what we can, where we are. We have to research the trip, book the tickets, pack the suitcases. By completing action after action, we then get to the wonderful trip.

Sometimes it can be hard to be as practical with our dreams and emotions and goals. They aren’t as visually concrete as a vacation and the steps needed to get there.

Your Turn:
What goal or vision have you been thinking about instead of moving toward? What can you do, with what you have, where you are, to take a step forward today?

Your Affirmation:
I do the best that I can, with what I have, right here and right now

Good morning! I was listening to a Steven Wright monologue on the radio the other day (while I was speeding down the highway incidentally), in which he said (as only he can in his drawl, drawn out manner) “If you are speeding down a highway … and you are driving at the speed of light … and you turn on your lights … do they do anything?” The audience chuckled as did I.

Have you ever noticed how inside a joke, there usually lies a message–and most jokes are most successful when they lend new insight or a nugget of truth toward a contemporary condition? Inside Wright’s joke, lies a relevant question… Are we going too fast for our own good? Has our speed surpassed our ability to function at our human best and with humane vision? individually? and as a society? Do we need to slow down a little and let our headlights shine the way in front of us, so we can see where we are going, learn how we are doing, understand our orientation, and realize that we might need to adjust our journey a bit?

Sometimes in our frantic pace (thoroughly expected by today’s “destination-driven” society) we lose the enjoyment of the “getting there,” of “our journey.” We become blindsided from experiencing all the little facets along the way that could make our lives so enjoyable, so meaningful.

Your Turn:
The next time you find yourself “driving too fast” (and it doesn’t have to be in a car)… slow down. If nothing else, slow down long enough to give yourself time to laugh!

Daily Affirmation
I cherish the journey as much as the destination.

Good morning! What are your goals and wildest dreams? Have you built castles in the air? If your answer is yes, good for you! That’s where dreams must begin.

After building our dreams, we must put the foundation beneath them.

Your turn:
How is your foundation coming along? Are you taking practical, daily steps forward (no matter how small)? We can’t get to our goal when we are not moving. Are you moving toward success? If not, what little step can you take today to re-commit and get yourself back on track?

Your affirmation:
Each day I take a step toward success. I know there is no such thing as a “small step,” every step is important.

Good morning! How important it is to recognize that both motivation and habit are needed as we seek to change and improve our lives.

Motivation is the spark that often gets us moving. But within that initial motivation, we must work hard to develop positive and effective habits to keep us moving. Success is made from motivation and habits, not one or the other.

In order to sustain a high-level of motivation while giving us time to create new habits, we must stay positive and solution oriented. It is also helpful to communicate with others who are making changes in their lives and use their excitement as a springboard for our own.

Your turn:
Does your plan for change contain equal parts motivation and excitement? If not, brainstorm ways to create more of whichever quality is needed.

Your affirmation:
I seek out the positive in people and in life’s situations.

Share your thoughts on today’s Good Morning message by visiting www.brooknoel.com and clicking “RECENT POSTS” in the top right. You can also read other articles and past Good Mornings..

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Good morning! Today’s quote is practical in nature, but one that we should no-doubt embrace.

Worry has many similar characteristics to guilt. It hurts us much more than it helps. While a little worry or a little guilt keeps our conscious clean and our focus clear, incessant worry and guilt are destructive.

How do you know if these emotions are constructive or destructive in your own life? Ask yourself this simple question: Did my (worry/guilt/insert any emotion) make a positive difference in the situation?

If your answer is “no” then you are needlessly bringing yourself down, and likely bringing down the people around you.

Your turn:
As you encounter guilt, worry, and other emotions today ask yourself: “Is this making a positive difference in this situation?” If the answer is no, say a positive affirmation to dilute the negative emotion.

Your affirmation:
I release negative emotions from my life and replace them with positive and constructive thoughts.

~Joan Borysenko, Ph.D.

Good morning!  Today try having the curiosity of a child as you go about your daily routine. We can so quickly become enmeshed in our habits, we forget to look at all the opportunity and newness that is within our reach.

Your turn:
Today and for at least one week, try making two small changes every day as Joan suggests. Enjoy the sense of discovery!

Your affirmation:
Every day I make a joyous new discovery about myself and my world.

Your turn:
Today, I challenge you to evaluate the history you are weaving into the lives of others. What gifts are you giving from the heart? Are you making each day and interaction count? If not, try it for the rest of this week and notice how wonderful you feel.

Your affirmation:
Every day I share and weave positive energy into the lives of others.

Good morning! Today we are going to do a simple “emotional self-check.” If you were to embrace the Gandhi quote, and then look at your life yesterday, and how you thought, what would you become?

Your turn:
Remember that each day we have the choice to think our own thoughts. Keep using your affirmations to inspire you and keep your thoughts on track. Try this simple self-check once a week as a way to measure your progress.

Your affirmation:
I think only positive, encouraging, loving thoughts.

Good morning! How easy it can be to throw our hands up when faced with difficult or trying times. It can be easy to put on that “poor me” hat and figure we are another victim of circumstance.

While we may feel those emotions temporarily - we cannot hold onto them or they will make us a victim.

Instead, follow Richard’s words. Let the difficult times reveal who you are, the talents you possess, your strength, your courage.

Your turn:
Have you felt you are a victim of circumstance in an area of your life? Choose not to be the victim. Choose to let this trying time reveal a step that you can take toward the stronger, courageous, true you.

Your affirmation:
Each difficult time is a step that I take to build my true self.