INSPIRATION FOR TODAY!

"You will be what you will to be."

- James Allen

START SOWING!

You say to yourself, "I think I'll go shopping," - and you do.  You say, "I think I'll buy that new CD," - and you do.  You say, "I think I'll put it on my credit card," - and you do.

James Allen lived from 1864 until 1912.  As was popular in the early 1900's, he wrote a series of short essays known as pamphlets.  The best known, "As A Man
Thinketh," was his most famous work.  In it, he provided timeless inspiration on the value of thought as it motivates us to action.

In his pamphlet, Allen states that, "All that a man achieves and all that he fails to achieve is the direct result of his own thoughts."  Speaking of mankind, he continues with, "They themselves are makers of themselves."  Thought precedes all action; thus, he reasons that by controlling our thoughts, we also control our destiny.

Notice in the first paragraph above that the "I think" part always seems to lead to the action of "doing."  Rarely do we hop in the car, drive aimlessly around, accidentally arrive at a music store, plunk down our credit card, and then say to yourself, "I think I'll go shopping."

If we are the sole controller of our thoughts, it stands to reason that we can also control our actions - and our outcomes in life.    Our mind and our thoughts are the seedbed of our futures.  What a novel thought.  Plant some great thoughts in your mind.  Do it today!

REGULAR SALE~~~QUICK RESPONSE~~~ ~~~QUICK CLOSE~~ LARGE OPEN FAMILY SPACE WITH TILE IN ALL THE RIGHT PLACES. WELL APPOINTED KITCHEN WITH NEW GRANITE COUNTER-TOPS, BACK-SPLASH AND STAINLESS APPLIANCES. WONDERFUL FLOOR PLAN WITH OFFICE/PLAYROOM, SPLIT OVER-SIZED MASTER BEDROOM WITH SEPARATE SITTING ROOM/OFFICE/GYM. MASTER BATH FEATURES SEPARATE TUB SHOWER AND DUAL SINKS. GREAT LOT WITH NO LARGE HOUSES BEHIND.

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY!

"There's nothing as constant as change."

- Unknown

FEELING WIRED?

Feel on edge?  Not sure what to expect next? Nerves frayed?  Feeling overwhelmed by today's complex world situation?  How is it that some people are calm, fearless, and content, while others are frightful, worried, overwhelmed, and uncertain about the future? 

In the 1950's there were only three models of Chevrolet, about four dry cereals, two or three types of soap, etc.  Mom went grocery shopping weekly. There were no shopping malls, computers, cell phones, portable CD players (or CD's), 401(k)s, Internet, or co-ed dorms.  Life was simple and calm - and revolved around the family.  Technology didn't dominate daily life. 

Today, our choices have expanded exponentially.  There are hundreds of vehicle models, 50 different cereals on the shelf, software for every occasion, hundreds of cable channels, and millions of pages on the World Wide Web.  Think that might clog your thinking just a little?  Want to get back to simplicity, peace, and security?

Try a few of the following suggestions. Begin limiting your choices.  Spend less than you earn. Limit trips to the store. Spend the evening at home - with your family - with the television OFF.  Go directly home after work. Identify your principles - and live them. Count your blessings daily by entering them in a journal. Read. Treat yourself to a hot bath.

Think of your life as an extension cord with too many appliances plugged-in.  Each vies for the limited energy you have available until a short-circuit or fire occurs.  Start unplugging all those peripherals now, and you'll notice your life-light begin to shine.
 

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY!

"It is of immense importance to learn to laugh at ourselves."

- Katherine Mansfield

PLAY THE FAMILY GAME!

Feel like you're losing touch with your children? Wish you understood your spouse better? Want to enjoy closer family ties without the background noise of X-Box games or loud music?  Does everyone seem to scatter the moment their last bite of food is swallowed? Introduce them to "the family game!"

It's a fun way to bring your family together at the dinner table and keep them there - without complaints.  Furthermore, you'll soon have them willingly sharing their dreams, disappointments, likes & dislikes, interests, successes, and innermost thoughts.  Finally, you will have created a new family tradition your children will delight in passing on to their own families.

Introduce your version of the family game at the end of a dinnertime meal when everyone is present.  Don't make a big production of it, just ask everyone to remain at the table.  Tell them you've heard of a fun game and would like to play it with them.  Explain that each person at the table gets one turn (and only one turn).  You begin by asking a question that everyone, including yourself, has to answer.  For instance, your question might be, "What's the most embarrassing moment you've ever had?"  Go around the table and let each family member contribute.

Once everyone answers, let the person at your left ask the next question.  It might be, "What's the worst birthday present you've ever received?" or maybe, "If you could go back in the past and live in a different time, when would it be and why?"  You'll be amazed at the sharing your family will suddenly experience. 

Once the "family game" becomes a regular part of meals, add this twist:  Before being seated, tell family members that they may sit in any seat at the table except their normal seat.  The catch is that they must also "act" like the person normally seated in the chair they choose.  This can produce hilarious results.

If your family seems fragmented and scattered, play "the family game."  It's a natural for bringing joy, depth, communication and understanding back to your loved ones.

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY!

"Fear knocked at the door, faith answered. No one was there."

- Unattributed

REPLACEMENT THERAPY!

Ever received one of those emails that contains a touching message, then suggests that if you forward it to ten more people you'll receive a "special blessing" or "ten million dollars in three days"?  It usually also warns that the last person who didn't forward it met some terrible fate at the hands of unknown evil-doers.  Remember how that last part - the veiled threat - made you feel?  You didn't think something awful would really happen, but you resented being put in the position of wondering.

We've been told many times that our worst fears are of the "unknown."  An unidentified fear sends our imagination into high gear, conjuring up vivid mental pictures of dastardly plots against us.  We ruminate endlessly over the possibilities.  Such fear is disruptive to our well-being, and leaves us tired and wrung-out.

So, how do you handle fear?  One method is to identify the fear, so that once you do, it is no longer "unknown." That also means it is measurable, and can be logically quantified.  Once you know what it is, your imagination can no longer dream up worse things that it is not.  Once identified, it is possible to determine possible outcomes.

Most fears will never come to fruition.  Those that do are divided into two categories: those we can control, and those we can't.  If we have control, we also have the ability to survive our fears, and change their outcomes.  Most fall into that category.

One mother's lifelong advice to her daughter who worried too much was to replace the worry thought with another more pleasant thought.  The opposite of fear is hope, which also gives us courage.  The next time you experience fear of the unknown, try replacement therapy.  Think positive, hopeful thoughts when fear knocks at the door.  Then, when you open the door - no one is there!

All you want in a great rental at a great price. Only $1275/month for 1537sf, 3br + den, 2ba, 2.5cg. Open kitchen has granite counter & stainless steel appliances. Oversized garage & oversized backyard. Quiet location, close to elementary school. Walking distance to the community center, community pool, parks, Discovery Trail & Blackstone Country Club. This home is in great condition! Owner paid cash ... no fear of foreclosure!

REGULAR SALE ~~~ SEE ATTACHED PHOTOS - this home is a must see! - Single level - 4BR + 2BA + Den + 3CG + Pool with Grotto + B-Ball Court - nicely upgraded with 20 inch tiles, upgraded carpet, appliances, backsplash, countertops, fans, light fixtures - cabinets with slide-outs & hardware - 2-tone custom paint with chair rails - custom closet in master - oversized backyard is a oasis with gorgeous pool with grotto, basketball court, large grass area, fire pit & area for a BBQ island - offers get answers in hours, not days or months - WELCOME HOME!!!

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I -
I took the one less traveled by,
and that has made all the difference."

- Robert Frost

FORGET THE LEADER!

On the playground of any school, and on any day, you can witness examples of children playing "follow the leader." One hops, skips, or jumps, and all the others follow. As adults, however, many of those children play a variation of that game - called "follow the follower."

On the job, they look around, see how someone else is doing their work, and duplicate the effort. What they don't realize is that their fellow employee is also watching someone else. A circular game of "follow the follower" evolves, resulting in a mediocre work force. The same can be true in marriages, education, hobbies, and sports.

Consider the story of a telephone operator in a small town. Every day she received a call from a gentleman asking for the correct time. Finally, one day, she asked the mystery caller who he was and why he called every day. His answer? "I'm the one who blows the whistle at the factory each day at noon. I like to be right on time!" The operator laughed and then responded, "Here at the telephone company, we set our watches and clocks by the noon whistle at the factory!"

Tired of playing follow the follower? Want to rejuvenate your life? Begin acting like the unique person you already are. See what everyone else is doing . . . and do something different. Strike out in the direction of your own imagination instead of theirs.

In the words of Henry David Thoreau, "Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you've imagined."

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I -
I took the one less traveled by,
and that has made all the difference."

- Robert Frost

FORGET THE LEADER!

On the playground of any school, and on any day, you can witness examples of children playing "follow the leader." One hops, skips, or jumps, and all the others follow. As adults, however, many of those children play a variation of that game - called "follow the follower."

On the job, they look around, see how someone else is doing their work, and duplicate the effort. What they don't realize is that their fellow employee is also watching someone else. A circular game of "follow the follower" evolves, resulting in a mediocre work force. The same can be true in marriages, education, hobbies, and sports.

Consider the story of a telephone operator in a small town. Every day she received a call from a gentleman asking for the correct time. Finally, one day, she asked the mystery caller who he was and why he called every day. His answer? "I'm the one who blows the whistle at the factory each day at noon. I like to be right on time!" The operator laughed and then responded, "Here at the telephone company, we set our watches and clocks by the noon whistle at the factory!"

Tired of playing follow the follower? Want to rejuvenate your life? Begin acting like the unique person you already are. See what everyone else is doing . . . and do something different. Strike out in the direction of your own imagination instead of theirs.

In the words of Henry David Thoreau, "Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you've imagined."

REGULAR SALE ~~~ Private Owner - rare hillside lot (see photos) - plenty of space in this 2398sf home - 4BR + LOFT + 3BA + 2.5CG - 3 bedrooms have walk-in closets - enjoy amazing unobstructed views from your private balcony off master - home has a 2nd balcony in the front off secondary bedroom - stainless steel appliances - oversized laundry room - loft opens out over the formal living/dining rooms - lots of privacy with only 1 adjacent neighbor - home is clean & well taken care of - make an offer & get answers in hours, not days!

REGULAR SALE ~~~ MUST SEE PHOTOS!!! - Outstanding home with all the upgrades - 4BR + LOFT + 3BA + POOL + SPA + FIREPIT + BBQ ISLAND + 3CG + 1/4 ACRE PREMIUM CORNER LOT ... & GORGEOUS OPEN VIEWS ALL AROUND - open floorplan features a gourmet kitchen with double ovens & beverage cooler - all high end stainless steel appliances - granite counters - upgraded light fixtures & fans - upgraded flooring - shutters throughout - garage cabinets - water softener - r/o system - extensive recessed lights, even in the patio - enjoy AZ sunsets & endless views from your balcony - resort like backyard includes view fencing, artificial turf, pavers & extended cool deck - lots of privacy with only one adjacent neighbor - this is a one of a kind property in Vistancia - WELCOME HOME!!!

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

"The man who dies rich, dies disgraced."

- Andrew Carnegie

 INVESTOR SPECIAL - TENANT OCCUPIED WITH 2-YEAR LEASE AT $2100/MONTH - Home is in great condition! TW Lewis built executive rental in cul-de-sac. Gated community. 4 bed + 3.5 bath + den + 3car garage. Gorgeous single-level home with ALL THE UPGRADES: huge kitchen with Oversized Island perfect for entertaining, Granite, Upgraded Appliances, 42'' Staggered Cabinets. Master bedroom features soaking tub, snail shower & dual vanities. Shutters throughout and tile on the diagonal in all high-traffic areas. 4th BR has private bath. Greet Guests in private gated Cobblestone courtyard. Unbelievable backyard oasis with large grassy play area & Cobblestone patio with gazebo. Back & Front on easy-maintenance timered sprinklers. Extended-length 3-car garage. Community walking path/trailhead one house down in your cul-de-sac.

For Rent - Popular Pepperdine model built by Shea. This home is nicely upgraded & in great condition, located in a quiet cul-de-sac with only one neighbor; a 2-minute walk from the Mountain Vista Clubhouse. Lots of space inside & out ... 3841sf ... 5BR + 3.5BA (1 guest suite downstairs) + Office + Gameroom + 4CG + Pool & Spa. Enjoy beautiful views all around; extended balcony off master & extended patio. One of the best locations in Vistancia ... WELCOME HOME!!!

REGULAR SALE ~~~ Popular Pepperdine model built by Shea.  This home is nicely upgraded & in great condition, located in a quiet cul-de-sac with only one neighbor; a 2-minute walk from the Mountain Vista Clubhouse.  Lots of space inside & out ... 5BR + 3.5BA (1 guest suite downstairs) + Office + Gameroom + 4CG + Pool & Spa. Enjoy beautiful views all around; extended balcony off master & extended patio.  One of the best locations in Vistancia ... WELCOME HOME!!!

REGULAR SALE!!! GORGEOUS FORMER TW LEWIS MODEL HOME in gated Tapestry in Vistancia. EVERYTHING is an UPGRADE, even the streets are lined with pavers. Travertine floors, granite counters and island, built-in spacious refrigerator, built-in floor-to-ceiling wine pantry, special niches and lighting throughout, surround sound in master and main areas, SOLAR panels (electric bills have avgd only $95/mo this year!!), beautiful pool and water feature, gorgeous doors throughout. This amazing home has every feature you could want and it WILL GO QUICK!