Ralph's words really do say it all. As I read this inspiration for the day I flashed back to my childhood years growing up. "Set your direction and move towards it." That was my motto as a child and it was one of the things that got me through and helped me to survive. I always knew that there was a better life for me out there somewhere and if I could just hold on to that dream, I would make it. Along the way I worked towards that desire as I was growing up to make my life what I wanted and needed it to be. For me holding onto that dream tightly is how I made it through the worst of my abusive childhood.

I was a daydreamer child. Of course my school teachers did not like that, in fact it got me into trouble on more than one occasion, however it was an escape for me as I sat in class where it was safe, I would let my mind and thoughts wander to what it would be like to have a mom and dad who really cared about me and loved me. I would see other kid's parents interacting with them and daydream about them being my own parents. I would see myself playing happily and laughing and being filled with joy. In my dreams, my mother would cook good meals and bake cookies and we would do fun things together like go shopping, play games and cards like Go Fish or Old Maid. In my dreams, my father would be a strong loving man who would teach me to ride my bike and take me to the park to play frisbee and baseball. He would help me with my homework and give me an allowance so I could buy penny candy and other good treats. When I was a child I wanted to be in the girl scouts in the worst possible way. In my daydreams I could be a Brownie! I could do all the fun things that other little girls talked about doing in the Girl Scouts. It was good having my make believe life of a good family in my dreams.

As I got older I still held on fiercely to my dreams of a better life. I created a Hope Chest out of an old box. I would find items to put in it like dishes and cups for when I had my own place to live. Little pretty kitchen towels and oven mitts. I collected plaques and knick- knacks that would be cute for my own home. I never gave up the dream. I kept moving forward. Even though each time I was moved around I lost some of my precious possessions, I still held fast to my dreams of knowing I would one day have a better life. Nobody could ever take that away from me.

I knew the type of home I wanted. I wanted it to be clean and good smelling like fresh baked goods. I wanted to have nice things and good sturdy furniture. I wanted closets with organized shelves to put my clothes on. I like neatness and order in my life. Coming from a life that was so chaotic and full of strife and stress, I wanted my home to be a sanctuary to feel safe and comfortable in. To be able to rest easy and to be able to connect with the outdoors and feel the peacefulness that I knew existed. It was there all along right in my grasp and I kept working towards it. I wanted my home to be filled with love and not angry words and fighting. I wanted above all to feel safe in my own home and to never have to worry about being hurt again.

I put my desires out there and I worked slowly towards it never letting go of my hopes and my dreams. In Ralph's words, "When your thoughts and actions have a clear, specific purpose, each moment will carry you closer to the fulfillment of that purpose. When you move consistently in a chosen direction, you cannot help but reach the destination you choose."

That is exactly what I did and today in my life I am blessed with a home filled with love and caring beyond my wildest dreams. I love my home and the way I have created my sanctuary from my meager dreams. It is safe and clean and neat and orderly. It IS my peaceful sanctuary. I am proud of the things I have purchased over the years with my hard earned money to fill my home with beautiful things that matter to me. When I say "Life is what you make it", I really mean that because I know it is true. I am living proof of that.

My favorite part of my home is our screened in back porch which affords me a view of the woods behind our house where I watch deer and see birds and wildlife in their natural settings. It gives me such joy and such peace. I love sitting there sometimes with my eyes closed listening to the songs of the birds and the world around me. I am safe and I am at peace.

My dreams have come true and your dreams can come true for you too. Give yourself permission to decide what you truly desire for your life and for your world. And know that there is a way, right now, to begin creating it.

Many blessings my friends,

PolarB ;)