"Thought of the Month" by Ellen Banks

Just for a minute, pretend that it's your first day in grade school and the teacher is asking the class to describe what they did and learned over the summer.  Hands fly in the air and the room is filled with the excitement of each child's enthusiastic heart, bursting to share their stories. 

The stories will generally describe new adventures and joyful learning experiences.  Can you remember catching lightening bugs and butterflies, chasing the ice cream truck, riding a roller coaster, playing ball, scraping your knee, making new friends and just creating new memories that would last a lifetime?     

How did you spend your summer?  What did you learn?  Was it just another two months at the office without fun or standout memories?  Did you take the time to be present, to free your spirit, relax or find new adventures?  Did you wake to greet each day with the enthusiasm to transform your dreams into reality?  If not, why?  If not, when?

I learned a number of important things over the summer.  Not just acquiring knowledge but gaining a profound understanding.  There is a difference between learning and knowing.  You can learn a quantum physics formula but do you really "understand" what it means?  What did you learn that you really understand with your heart and soul to be true?

1.   I learned that "beginner's luck" isn't luck at all.  It can be attributed to enthusiasm and positive energy.  It's an energy filled with joy, optimism and great promise.  That is what drives success.

2.   I learned that we are indeed our "own worst enemy".  You have to have a relationship with all aspects of yourself in order to be healthy and successful. 

3.    I learned that you have to rid yourself of destructive negative energy in order to move forward and fill your life with joy and abundance. 

4.    I learned that you have to decide who is in charge:  Your soul?  Your mind? Your body?  Which part of you drives you?  Which part is in control?  Instead of keeping each in their own corner working against the others, bring them together to work toward a common goal.  Only then can you achieve true success and live life to its fullest potential. 

There are also a number of profound lessons I learned by reading The Alchemist, by Paul Coelho.  The reviews I read on this book intrigued me.  One claimed "This story is an eternal testament to the transforming power of our dreams and the importance of listening to our hearts."  Another: "a remarkable tale about the most magical of all journeys; the quest to fulfill one's destiny for anyone who is passionately committed to claiming the life of their dreams-today."

All True!!!!!!  Coelho beautifully describes the language of enthusiasm, of things accomplished with love and purpose.  As he points out "When you want something, all the universe conspires to help you achieve it."

I highly recommend this book.  It will change you for the better. 

And those are some of the things I learned this summer!