by Lori Bloom

Created on: June 13, 2009

Some people wake up each day feeling disillusioned and overwhelmed. When they look in the mirror, they are reminded of their failures and faults. This is especially true for those who have negative people in their lives. It never occurs to them that they have the power within themselves to stop going through the motions of life and begin to actually live and enjoy their lives. They may not feel strong enough to change whatever it is in their life that is not working. Life is what you make it. We each have the power within ourselves to make our dreams come true. Sometimes it takes a little creativity and encouragement to achieve this, but if you want something badly enough, anything is possible.

The first step towards starting your new life is to reflect on the times in your life when you were truly happy. Often, this brings about childhood memories such as chasing butterflies, playing in the dirt, flying a kite, swimming, or playing with animals. Each and every one of us has something in our lives that brings us joy, or has brought us joy. If you enjoy reading, there are many books to choose from to help you figure out what you should do with your life and make your dreams come true. "Wishcraft," by Barbara Sher is one of those books. Everyone deserves to wake up each day feeling happy, and to live life with childlike faith that the world is a good and happy place. The key is to think about what it is in your life that you need to change, and if you need to make a career change in order to find peace and happiness in your life, you have the power within yourself to make that happen.

The second step is to decide what your goals are. Do you want to have a happy family? The key to this is removing negative influences from your family circle. If other family members are the source of your negativity and conflict then do not be afraid to move away. Too often people feel obligated to remain near their family members instead of spreading their wings and living their own lives. If you feel stuck in a career or job that you hate, find a different one. Do not give up your goals because they seem impossible or selfish.

Once you have decided what your goals are, enlist the help of others to assist you. This may mean contacting friends or relatives who may have connections to a new career, a new place to live, or whatever else it is that you want for yourself. People generally enjoy helping other people achieve their dreams and goals. It may be necessary to enroll in college (even if you are in your thirties!) and brush up on old skills or learn new ones. A student loan can also be very helpful in relocating if moving away is one of your goals.

The next step is to take a deep breath and believe in yourself. Once you figure out what makes you happy, make a plan to make it happen. Living your life with fear and regret is not living at all. Starting a new life is an exciting adventure, I know from firsthand experience! I recently moved my three children and fiance to Alabama after living in New York our entire lives (I am 39). Once you have PEACE in your life, it's much easier to focus on your goals. It's also easier to find courage to chase your dreams once you have removed negative influences from your everyday life. Don't let anyone steal your sunshine or hold you back from the life you want!

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