All About Women | Women

“When opportunity comes, it appears in a different form and from a different direction. That is one of the tricks of opportunity. It has a sly habit of slipping in by the back door, and often comes disguised in the form of misfortune or temporary defeat. Perhaps this is why so many fail to recognize opportunity.

“Before success comes to most people, they are sure to meet with much temporary defeat, and perhaps some failure. When faced with defeat the easiest and most logical thing to do is to quit.” ~ From Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

I found myself picking up this book this past weekend and re-reading this particular passage. I have read this passage dozens of times, but needed to read it again. You see, this past weekend I was dealing with a computer virus; and my antivirus would not kick in and do its job. As my dear laptop Luna Sophia is four years old, she is extremely slow and packed full of junk. So my only option was to reboot and restore back to factory settings. And no, I did not have a backup – so I lost everything!

As I was waiting for the process of the reboot to finish, I got the urge to pick up Hill’s book – it’s right by my bed – and re-read the above passage. All of a sudden, I got a burst of new energy. I felt as if I was given a reprieve. I thought about how I could consciously and mindfully choose to restore my data. I was going to use a browser that I liked; I was not going to load it with programs that would slow it down; and I would feed it and myself only positive mindset programs and materials – as this is my new path in life.

I could not wait to get up this morning and make my conscious decisions about what I would install onto my “new” computer. And whoa! Does it run so much faster! And space? Can we talk?

Instead of seeing every obstacle or defeat as just stumbling blocks strategically placed to ruin your day, look for the opportunities in them. As Hill said, most people will see these temporary defeats as just give up, not looking beyond them for the lessons, the blessings, and the testings.

So, just for today, STOP, TAKE A BREATH, and ASK:

“How can I see the beauty in everything and everyone that crosses my path?” Especially the not so beautiful!

Learn to turn your obstacles into opportunities!
Coach Carolyn

"Your imagination is your preview of life's coming attractions." ~ Albert Einstein

Napoleon Hills said, “Fear is faith in reverse gear. Fear is a negative belief in something, and belief is the very foundation of faith. Faith is a positive mental attitude in action. Your mental attitude is the sum total of your thoughts at any given time.”

When we were children, we had no problem activating our wonderful gift of imagination. We could imagine anything. I remember when my family would purchase a large household item, like a new television or a washing machine. I was enthralled with the big box that it came in. That box became my fort, my playhouse, my spaceship, my doll house, you name it. And I had no shortage of ideas for what to use that box for. Unfortunately, we were talked out of using that magnificent gift. We had to grow up, be realistic, and get our heads out of the clouds.

But I have some amazing news for you. You still have that gift – yes, it is still a part of you, and you have the ability to activate it anytime you choose. And you want to know something else? You do activate it, quite frequently. The difference is instead of imagining what you do want, you imagine what you do not want, and thus creating a reality that mirrors your imagination. Instead of focusing on your dreams and intentions, you give excessive amounts of attention to your fears and worries. And guess what shows up in your life? You bet! More of your fears and worries.

Just for today, STOP, TAKE A BREATH, and ASK:

“What am I giving most of my attention to right now?” Especially if you are not feeling well emotionally.

Remember, your thoughts precede your feelings; so if you are not feeling okay, then check in with what you are thinking about. You have the ability to choose a different thought; one that is more pleasant; thus making you feel better. Be proactive with your thoughts and your imagination. Use them to create the life you desire.

Here’s to dreaming in color!
Coach Carolyn

Napoleon Hill says in his seminal work Think and Grow Rich:

“When the opportunity comes, it appears in a different form and from a different direction. That is one of the tricks of opportunity. It has a sly habit of slipping in by the back door, and often comes disguised in the form of misfortune or temporary defeat. Perhaps this is why so many fail to recognize opportunity.

Before success comes to most people, they are sure to meet with much temporary defeat, and perhaps some failure. When faced with defeat the easiest and most logical thing to do id to quit. That is exactly what the majority of people do.”

When I first read those passages, I nearly fell off of my chair. As a woman in perpetual transition, I would often ask the proverbial question, “Why is this happening to me?” “Why does this always happen to me?”

Does any of this sound familiar?

Then, I read Hill’s words and took a great sigh of relief. Before reading this, I would hit the adversity, then just stop. Not recognizing that this temporary defeat was an opportunity in disguise.

Today, although I’m still not crazy about the adversities that I meet, I now recognize them as opportunities in disguise. There is a higher calling for these trials.

Just for today, STOP, TAKE A BREATH, and ASK:

“What are the lessons, the blessings, and the testings of this trial or misfortune?”
I urge you to make a habit of reading books like Think and Grow Rich; especially if you are needing new shifts in old paradigms.