I just got out of a training class that was completely focused on your thoughts and the impact of your thoughts on your behavior, attitude, actions, and ultimately results.  The premise of the class was if you are not getting the results you say you want, look at your thoughts to see where you are limiting yourself.  I am also reading about the power of following your joy - doing what truly makes you happy and the impact that that can have on your life and the lives of all those around you.

Many of us have been raised in an "or" mindset.  I can have this or that, but not both.  I talk to countless people who tell me how hard it is for them to make decisions.  There is a reason for that.  You want both things - you don't want to say or.  You want to say and.  And, of course you want that, because that is how we were born, that is our nature.  Our nature is to collect all the things, experiences, and people that make us happy.  If you don't believe me, witness this in children (people who are still very close to their innate nature).  Have you ever tried to give a child a choice between two things and they look up at you and say, "but can't I just have both?”  And, as adults, we get so frustrated and think we give to our kids and they always want more - but the truth is, that is EXACTLY how we all should be living our lives.  There is more than enough for everyone to have what they want - that includes you!

So, how do you live in possibility?  The first step is to identify where you are having an or conversation in your life.  For example, I can be a successful business person or I can spend time with my kids.  Other examples, I can have peace of mind or I can make a lot of money.  We all make hundreds of decisions a day.  Think of when you go to Starbucks and order something - you know what you want.  There are literally hundreds of choices in Starbucks, but you go in and order the thing you want.  You just made a decision.  But, it was not difficult.  Why?  Because, when you know what you want, it is easy to decide.  It is easy to say yes to one thing and no to another when you are clear on what you want.  Whenever you spend time deciding between do I want this or that - it really is an indication that you would prefer to have both.  Both things hold some value to you and in an "ideal" world, you would want both.  Recognize that.  Recognize where in your life it would be great to be a successful business person and spend time with your kids.  Where it would be great to have peace of mind and make a lot of money.  The way to live in possibility is exchange your or for an and. 

When you are clear that you want both, then you can get your powerful, make it happen, tool involved - your mind.  Your brain LOVES to solve problems.  So, give it a good one to solve.  Ask yourself, "how can I have X AND Y?”  When you ask your brain this question, it will start popping out hundreds of ideas from the crazy, to the impractical, to the perfect solution for you.  Try it today.  Think of a place in your life where you are using or thinking, change the or to an and, and then ask your brain, how can I have both, and watch magic occur! 

I have been reading a lot about 2012 and the Mayan Prophecy about the end of this world age.  As I read more about the theories on what the end of 2012 means, a common theme developed.  The theme is not focused on the specific day of the prophecy but on the time period we are in right now.  This period started in 2008 and is a period of awakening, of connection, and of coming back to our true selves.  We have shifted out of the us vs. them mindset and are more aware that we are one world, one people, all with our own unique strengths and contributions to this world.  You see this in the events of the world.  You see this in the Arab Spring movement and the Occupy movements in the US.  People are speaking out against division and control and are working towards A World That Works for Everyone.  As I see the brave steps that people are taking all over the world, I feel an eager energy to join in and do something.  To be a part of life, and not just an observer.  To contribute.  And to just say "yes!" more. 
 
I recently attended a service at Agape in Los Angeles (Michael Beckwith's place of worship) and randomly, we had chosen to attend on their 25th anniversary.  It was just an ordinary Wednesday night for us, but it was the exact day, 25 years earlier that Michael had started down the path to his dream, which is now a huge center with hundreds of followers and friends around the world.  To celebrate this day, each of the Agape spiritual leaders spoke of their experience with Agape - one theme emerged from their experiences, the theme of "yes".  To start anything in life, you have to first say "yes".  You have to be open to the idea of something, to the possibility, you have to listen with an ear of hearing that there may be something in this for you to learn or experience.  In order to do that, the first step is to be open, to have an attitude of yes.  Scientific research shows that when others are speaking, most of us are thinking of ways to "prove them wrong" versus listening to what they are saying.  They refer to listening without thinking of a response as Open Listening, meaning you are open to hear what the other person is saying.  In this way, you can hear information that may help you understand the other person and see a new point of view.  The first step to Open Listening, is to be open, to say "yes".
 
So my wish for 2012 for me and for each of you is to have an attitude of "yes".  2011 was about an attitude of gratitude (don't lose that - just add the attitude of yes to it)!  I hope that you take the first steps into 2012 with the attitude of yes.  What does that look like?  It means when opportunities present themselves, say yes first, and figure out how later.  When someone shares a new idea with you, think "what can I learn from this", instead of "how does this fit into my current belief system".  When someone asks for help, say yes.  When someone asks for your time, say yes.  Remember, you can always make another decision later (i.e., change your mind).  The only way to get somewhere different is to walk down different paths.  Not all of them will be perfect.  Some of them may be inconvenient or messy, but the only way to know what is down that path is by trying it.  Opportunities are all around us all the time.  God is trying to find a way to get you exactly what you need, all the time.  In order to receive it, you have to say "yes" and stay open to the message and good things that life is trying to provide you.  And, this is the year that energetically the earth is working extra hard to get you on your individual, unique, path - the one that only you can walk on.  So, pay attention to the messages you are getting.  And, follow your intuition (your gut).  If it sounds interesting, say "yes!", and figure out how later.