Ever knocked on a door and no one came to the door? The first thing that comes to mind, especially if you know that someone is home, is to take a few steps back and begin to look for the familiar. You look to see if their car is outside. Then you look to see if you can see a shadow moving past a window. You may even listen closely to see if you hear movement or voices behind the closed door. Why? Maybe it’s because something is telling you that someone must be home! Well, it’s a good idea to use these same practices when knocking on the doors of ”Life”! How many times have you knocked on the door called business, just to have no one answer? What about the door called dreams? It may appear to open and just as you step up to walk in, it slams right in your face! BAM! Oh, I’ve got one, how about the door called family or relationships? Just when you think you’ve got it together and everyone’s happy, BAM! The door slams right in your face. Well, how many times should one knock on the door before they walk away? The answer? Until it opens! You keep knocking, especially if you know what you’re seeking is on the other side of that closed door! Ever heard the saying, “What you’re seeking is also seeking YOU!”? Well, keep knocking. Doors have purposes in our lives. They keep some things in and other things out. Maybe the door you’re knocking on right now will not open because it’s actually keeping something out of your life that you cannot handle right now. OR, maybe, you’re supposed to knock a little longer to develop your passion and prove that you are serious about wanting what’s on the other side of that door. Alot of times we say we are ready, but as soon as we knock on that door and it doesn’t open, we walk away thinking it will never open. There’s a time for everything! Knock and it shall be opened unto you!
Matthew 7:7
Knock… Knock… It’s There!
Toni Hatton
Hello Attractive Thinkers!!
Have you allowed life, family, friends to write how your story is going to end? Have you said these famous words too many times, “Ok! Yes! Sure! Not A Problem! I’ll Take Care Of It Right Away!” Deep inside you long to live the life you dream of. Well, I encourage you to Write Your Own Ending! Get familiar with these two letters, NO! It’s ok to say NO. How about, “I’m sorry, I’m not available!” or “I can appreciate the fact that you value my presence, but I’m not able to make it this time!”
Are you on your schedule? I mean, really. Do you set aside time to spend with you? Your wealth is in your thoughts. The longer you put off that most important meeting with yourself, the longer you put off your dreams! Have you already accomplished your purpose in the earth? Have you met everyone you desire to meet? Have you visited every place you’d like to see? Well, what is holding you back? You are the creator of your story! Write it BIG! Write it LOUD! Life is intended to be enjoyed! Don’t let anything stop you from writing a powerful ending! Something magical happens when we begin to walk out the pages of our DYNAMIC story, other people around us begin to re-write their stories!
I look forward to reading you!
Toni Hatton
CEO/Toni Hatton Productions
www.tonihatton.com
www.tonihattonproductions.ning.com
www.purposelyhealthy.com
We’ve all heard it said that insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. Let’s meditate on that for a minute! Think about everything you did today. Was it the same thing you did yesterday? ..at the same time you did it yesterday? Was it the same thing you did last week, last month, or even last year? Well, that may explain why everything looks and sounds the same, year in and year out! Intentional action is necessary in order for change to take place. Try doing one thing different in your day. Maybe you’ll wake up an hour earlier just to meditate in the quietness of the morning to get clear direction and a plan for your day. Do you go through each day doing what you have to do, or what you really want to do? What’s the first thing on your mind when you wake up? Is it what you have to do, or what you want to do? In order to create the life you always dreamed of, you have to take intentional action. Write down a plan. Until you write it down, you’re not serious. One of the reasons people don’t write their dreams/plans down, is because they don’t fully believe that they can actually have them! So, that goes back to what I always say, your business only grows to the extent that you do! You dreams will only grow to the extent that you do. This calls for some soul searching. Ask yourself, what is holding me back from being my true, authentic self? The world is full of people living dormant, mundane lives. Life is a GIFT and is intended to be enjoyed! You feel good when someone gives you a gift. We were given the GIFT of LIFE! Enjoy it and live it to the fullest! Don’t let NOTHING stop you from enjoying YOUR GIFT!
Back to writing down your dreams/goals… Once you write them down, something magical happens! You actually see what you’ve been carrying around in your head for years. You then begin to own them and see them as the TRUE you! I’m talking about good dreams. A dream is only worth achieving if it’s intent is to bless others! Post them so that you can see them everyday. Say them out loud! Let your ears hear you say them until it gets in your spirit and you truly believe them. It’s only when YOU believe them, that they begin to manifest! YOU are the captain of your ship. If you don’t steer it in the right direction, you’ll never reach your destination!
Now that you’ve renewed your thinking and truly believe, let the journey begin with intentional action everyday. Your quest is to introduce the current you to the authentic you! Good morning YOU! Nice to meet YOU!
Toni Hatton
www.tonihatton.com
www.tonihattonproductions.ning.com
Good Morning Attractive Thinkers!
As a result of reading books on positive thinking and leadership, going to Leadership seminars, and talking to effective leaders, I’ve come to the conclusion that fear is the number one hinderance to a person’s success! I truly believe that your business only grows to the extent that you do! Wow, you mean all this time it was fear holding me back? Fear of what? Fear of being my authentic self. For years, while I was striving and surviving, life was secretly molding me into a person that I no longer recognize! Yes, it is true that when we fail to plan, we are planning to fail. But, how many people understand that life has a plan for you as well? The pressures of life shape you from the right. The past shapes you from the back. Your job, family, and friends may shape you from the left. Before you know it, you have conformed to an environment that does not allow you the freedom to grow and live the “YOU” you see in your dreams/visions!
So, what do you do now? Of course there are many factors that play a role in keeping us from living the lives we so often dream of. But let’s start with the big one! Fear! Isaiah 419-10 states:
9You whom I [the Lord] have taken from the ends of the earth and have called from the corners of it, and said to you, You are My servant–I have chosen you and not cast you off [even though you are exiled].
10Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice.
This is a good scripture to speak over your life everyday until you are fearlessly living an authetic life while being your authentic self! Make plans to do the things you dream of! That’s the real you! I was thinking on the way home today, “What could I be doing if I had no fear?” Ask yourself, “What area of my life is hindered by fear?” It takes courage to step out of the life you’ve lived for so long and create the life you see in your minds eye! Take courage my friend! …until we blog again.
Remember, “Don’t Be Afraid: He’s Preparing You!”
Toni Hatton