Your wish list or it is just wishful thinking?

What's on your Wish List? It seems to be a growing phenomenon all over the Web.
People are making up lists of their wants and desires (at least in terms of material goods)
and posting them on the Web for all the world to see.
I suppose that's one way of getting what you want.
But that really relies on a friend or family member seeing your list and perhaps buying an item for your birthday, anniversary, or holiday present.
It's literally a form of "wishful thinking."

Now, there's nothing wrong with thinking of those things we'd like.
It's only when your thinking stops there and goes no further that it becomes a kind of useless exercise.
The Broadway star Mary Martin had some choice words to say about that:
"Stop the habit of wishful thinking and start the habit of thoughtful wishes."

So, why not try a simple exercise?
Make your own Wish List of your goals or how you'd like to improve your life.
Include as many items as you like. Now, don't stop there. Opposite each item,
list something you can do to start to make that "wish" come true.
Make it a practical, doable step.
And get in the habit of repeating that step, week after week.
After repeating an action often enough, it becomes a habit, and you'll be on the way to making your own wishes come true.

After all, as Eleanor Roosevelt has said, "It takes as much energy to wish as to plan."

You may not have a fairy godmother to grant you three wishes, but you have something better.
You have yourself.

Might as well love yourself first....right?

Did you ever stop to think about how special you are?
As Gautama Buddha has said, "You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection."

Now, loving yourself doesn't mean being selfish or conceited. Self-love means recognizing your uniqueness. You are able to see your good points and not continually focus on what you see as "faults." You're more open to change any negatives into positives, because you don't "blame" yourself or feel unworthy. It means you can see your own potential clearly. And after all, you can't give and receive love from others if you don't love yourself. When you can love and accept yourself as you are, nothing can stop you from achieving whatever you desire.

Comedienne Lucille Ball knew this very well. She said, "Love yourself first and everything else falls into line. You really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world."

To help you get the hang of this idea, here's a little exercise to practice with. Don't worry if you feel a little funny or self-conscious at first. That's only natural. All you need is a mirror. Look directly into your eyes and say the following:
"I love and approve of myself just as I am."

It's a great way to both start and end your day.
John Lennon put it in a nutshell, in his whimsical way: "You're just left with yourself all the time, whatever you do anyway. You've got to get down to your own god in your own temple. It's all down to you, mate."

So....don't be afraid to LOVE yourself first, then you will then be able to give and receive LOVE from others.