Tag Archives: Follow Your Heart

{you can do it}

March 25, 2013 5:21 pm , Leave a Comment ,

inspiration moments: school teacher turned multimillionaire author

There’s a secret in life most people don’t realize: people who change the world make it big because they refuse to give up on their dreams. They choose to believe that they can give up the good and go for the even better. Many household names, people who went on to do big huge things, are ordinary men and women who did not give up.

One of them, who you may know, started out as a high school English teacher in a small town in Maine.

This teacher had what most people would call a good, standard life. A wife, kids and a good job. As he taught his class each day, however, he could only think about one thing: He had a call of his heart which was not being fulfilled.

So after grading papers each night he’d sit at a typewriter and work on his novel. He finished the book and sent it out to publishers. I wish I could say that was the part where all his dreams came true.

Unfortunately, editors hated it – like, for real. He got no positive feedback at all.

But he was so sure of his dream and call of his heart that he kept going and after over 30 rejections letters, he was published.

He is now one of the most one of the most famous writers in the world. Not only has he published 63 bestsellers, over 50 movies have been created based on his books.

63 books. 50 movies. He is paid to do what he loves and is a multimillionaire.

So have you guessed who it is? . . . . . . . Stephen King.

And the book was “Carrie” – which has sold millions of copies in dozens of languages.

 

dreams

When I was reading about Stephen King earlier today, what stood out to me more than the reality that dreams do come true, was the power of perseverance and determination. Yes, I believe in taking the time to get clear about what you want and flowing through life, but as you start to know what you truly desire and as the vision becomes clearer, we must go for it. And not just go for it once a month or once a week, but day by day and moment by moment.

We must live our dreams in our mind, visualizing the outcome we desire and deserve as we go. We must act as though those vision are possible and are on their way.

We all want significance and to contribute to this world in a meaningful way, but some choose the idea that our dreams are too big and are unreachable.

This is a BIG, fat, stupid lie.

And it doesn’t have to be true if you don’t want it to be.

You do not have to believe the lie and go through life playing small.

Get clear about what you want, believe it can happen and take steps to make it so.

I love you, 

 

Amanda Frances

 

 

{This story was adapted from www.silvalifesystem.com - the photo is by designeditor}

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The Best Year Yet, Lesson 6: Envision and Dream

February 26, 2012 3:11 pm ,

Hello fabulous friends. 

So excited to write to you on this lovely Sunday afternoon. The days I find time to stay in bed and journal, read, blog and dream are the best. It seems that the more time I take out for things like this, the more relaxed, calm and happy I am.

And the more I am in this place, the more I find myself in the place to ask for what I want, and get the answers.

I’ve always been a dreamer, but this year, I’ve been more diligent to focus and dream with intention. I’ve been bold enough to actively ask for what I need. This year I’ve had what I’ve asked for come to me like never before.

I encourage you to open your mind and be receptive to this concept. Whether you believe in karma, believing and receiving, or the principles in The Secret … or are skeptical of it all… there is a principal I want to share with you. All of these concepts are getting down to one idea: People are be able to attract to themselves what they desire based on what is happening in their minds.

I truly believe that when you …

* are in touch with your heart (inner guide, gut, holy spirit) you tap into your purpose and true desires, 

* know your worth and believe you deserve a wonderful life,

* believe that God/the Universe is good, loving, has your back, and hears you,

You can become bold enough to ask and be certain the answers are coming.

And things start to happen.

It comes down to more than goal-setting, being a good person, and having the best of intentions. You have to ask. You have to put your heart out there. You have to dream on purpose.

One way I have learned to do this is by writing. I have always journaled my thoughts, frustrations, and confusions, but this is different. I list my goals, dreams and desires in a way that’s clear, concise, and easy to check off.  On the regular I make list of things I need help with, want, or believe I am to do in the world.  I write the things down that I believe I can have, but don’t know how to get. And then I trust that what I asked for or better is coming.

It does.

A vision board can also be really powerful for attracting what you what.  I think about making a vision board every year, but this year I decided to sit my bottom down and actually do it. I have always been obsessed with old school collages made with pictures from real life or magazines cut out and pasted together with glue, but  that requires a supplies and time and I didn’t see myself making this happen. So instead I did online.

To make the board I browsed Pinterest and Google and began saving pics to a Vision Board folder on my computer. Every pic I save on my computer automatically saves to the photo editor I use, Picasa (it’s free!). So all I had  to do was select the pics I wanted for the board and click on the collage button.  To update the board I just click on edit and add pics. Easy! 

Some of the pictures represent very meaningful endeavors like the advertiser that recently contacted me (deets soon), while some are just little things I would like to have like the lilies that my boyfriend sent me for Valentine’s Day.

As in the two examples above, it’s working. 

To keep the inspiration in front of me, I added various versions of the board to my Facebook, Fanpage, and Twitter. Seeing my dreams and heart-felt goals in front of me all the time helps me to stay motivated, focused, and actively dreaming. 

If i can do it, you most certainly can too. :) I believe we can all see our dreams come true and have more Love My Life (LML) Moments than we can even handle.

 

Dream Big Dreams Today. 

 

Love to all of you,

Amanda Frances  

 

 

 

This is Lesson Six of the Best Year Yet series? If you aren’t loving your life to the max, please reference the below lessons. Love from me to you. 

Lesson One: Fakebook

Lesson Two: You Complete You

Lesson Three: Get Healthy

Lesson Four: Find Calm

Lesson Five: Love Yourself

 

 

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Not always easy, but always worth it

September 11, 2011 2:12 am ,
Picture 681

Life isn’t always easy.

I was interviewed by friend and fellow blogger and life-coach, Katie Hoffman (katiehoffmanblog.blogspot.com) a few days ago. During the interview she asked, “So what do you do when times get hard?”

This question struck me as one of the most important questions one can ask.

Roughly, I said something along the lines of that even after you decide to follow your dream and take steps (big or small) to get there, nothing gets easier. A sense of euphoria may appear briefly as accomplishments are made, but between the big breaks and ah-ha moments there will inevitable be several moments of, “Oh my dear God, why did I think I could do this?”

What you do right then is what matters the most.

 

1. Remember. . . This part is temporary.

This state you are in is temporary. You will not work your dead-end job on the way to your dream job forever. You will not be a student forever. You will not be a musician playing on the street corner forever. This is temporary. Keep the dream in front of you.

 

2. Stir up the positive attitude and excitement.

No one else will keep you motivated. The enthusiasm you have is no one’s responsibility but your own. Get excited. You can do it. You are on your way. You will make a difference. You can change the world. This attitude will make the hard work that is necessary, so much easier. Stay excited.

 

3. Get back to the heart of it.

For me this is huge. I didn’t just pick this off a list of professions. It has been a dream, a heart-felt desire. I see it an opportunity to help others to live their best lives and be their best selves. I see potential to help people to become un-stuck, get out of their rut, and move on with their life. I see the possibility of making a different. I know that if I can continue, I can do my part to make a difference in the world.

You have to remember where the dream came from and why it is important to you. What is the origin of your dream? What is the heart of it? As you do this, you will renew your love for it and find the energy to keep going.

 
 

As I said to Katie, “The good life is good, but it isn’t always easy.”

And thinking about it now, I have to add, but it’s worth it. It’s always always worth it.

 

 

Xo,

Amanda Frances

 

There is no substitute for persistence! It cannot be supplanted by any other quality! Remember this in the beginning and it will hearten you when the going may seem difficult and slow. Those who have cultivated the habit of persistence seem to enjoy insurance against failure. No matter how many times they are defeated, they finally arrive up near the top of the ladder. Sometimes it appears there is a hidden guide whose duty is to test people through all sorts of discouraging experiences. Those who pick themselves up after defeat and keep on trying arrive; and the world cries, “Bravo! I knew you could do it!” The hidden guide lets no one enjoy great achievement without passing the persistence test. Those who can’t take it simply do not make the grade.. Those who can “take it” are bountifully rewarded for their persistence. They receive, as their compensation, whatever goal they are pursuing. - Napoleon Hill

Nothing in the world can take the place of Persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan ‘Press On’ has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race. - Calvin Coolidge

Because those who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do. – Steve Jobs

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined. – Henry David Thoreau

 

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