Do it.

I've come to a conclusion--a few really.

-Wear high heels as often as possible. Even if you're already tall. Even if you're 5'10 tall.

-Don't plan anything before 11 on the weekends. Sleep is fabulous.

-On that note, take naps whenever you can.

-Read Vogue in bed in the middle of the day.

-Keep on track with project "get hot," but do eat cupcakes when a sexy man brings them to you. Don't have five.

-When you get a random check in the mail from your insurance company, don't question it. Even if you're completely baffled. Shut up, be happy, and go to the bank. And remember how you looked at your account and thought "I need more money" (See post "Think About it").

Do it. Life is too short not to.

Two Categories of Success

I've been thinking about success, and it seems as if there are two types of successful people (as far as I can see right now). There is the group who work ridiculously hard, and every bit of prosperity for them has come at a price. This group of people seem to understand only one formula: working their way up. The extremes in this category also seem to refuse the "freebies" life offers--believing that any prosperity must come from some kind of difficult effort (of course this occurs unconsciously).

The other group looks at success differently. While not opposed to hard work, their actions seem to propel them forward at lighting speed. They move to the top in a fluid motion of ease. And the difference here is interesting. While the first group may reach a salary in the six digits, the second is making millions or more. When this group works it's not a drudgery, but something that can be fun and easy.

Lets look at one example: Last Fall a writer came to CSULB for a reading of her just published book of short stories. The reading was interesting. She told us she had spent ten years working on her first novel, which she could not get published (ten years without getting paid!) The book which had been published started as a writing exercise to get to know the characters of the first novel.

Yes, I'm about to sort of bash her--but before I do, let me say her writing is amazingly sharp.

She shared a little bit about the writing process of her short stories, and apparently she sometimes spent weeks on one single sentence. What?!

You may be thinking, this is all well and good. Her ten years of work were not entirely futile since it led to the writing exercise which ended up being a success. And I get that sometimes things work out differently than expected. But ten years!? And weeks for one sentence! You only get one life everyone.

I walked out of there thinking, I never want to be a writer, ever.

But now I realize the distinction in groups of successful individuals. This writer, while finally successful, belongs in the first group: She had to work hard, and felt as if that struggle was absolutely necessary.

I don't know about you, but I like the sounds of the second group much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm not afraid of a little hard work, and those of you who know me know I certainly do not shy away from giving something my all.

I see success as something which should come fluidly and naturally. I want to enjoy all the "work" necessary to get there. And I think I can see that happening.

Thank you summer!

All I have to say today is this: life is pretty fabulous.

Also, here is something to ponder over the weekend: "whether you think you can or you can't, either way you're right."

Think about It

A few mornings ago I woke up and sat at the table to enjoy some tea. I may have been reading The Sun, or writing something down, and I looked up and noticed the vase of once fresh sunflowers in front of me was not looking so hot. I gave them a moments thought. "I should get some fresh flowers," I said to myself before resuming what I was reading or writing. When I got up, I threw the dying flowers away and rinsed the vase.

Some hours later, my boyfriend unexpectedly walks in the door with a huge bouquet of flowers! Among them, two huge sunflowers, bigger than the previous. No, it wasn't a special occasion, and yes, I do have a sweet boyfriend (see post "Try to Keep it Fabulous"), but it's not like I get flowers everyday or anything. What interests me here is that within hours of thinking about what I wanted, it manifested itself. And now the vase of flowers in front of me is fuller, and brighter than the last.

Now, should I look at my bank account and think, "I need some more money"? Should I look at my car and think, "I need a new BMW"? Will these things then magically appear in my life, just like the flowers?

I'll keep you posted. (I'm feeling good about this one!).

I have to say, this summer is off to a pretty amazing start. On Saturday, I had a chocolate covered fortune cookie tell me "Success and happiness will come your way." Um, isn't this what this whole blog is all about? Isn't this exactly what I have been focusing on these last few weeks?

And I don't think I could of had a better morning today. I spent it in my pj's working on a story for my creative writing class, drinking coffee and intermittently dancing to Phoenix.

Now I'm getting ready to go for a run on the beach, before I finish the story. Life is good.

Dive In and Dig Deep

This is what you need to do: Listen to John Coltrane, eat amazingly delicious food whenever possible (and by this I mean delicious healthy food; we must not forget our "get hot" objective), and don't forget to keep smiling. Stay positive by looking up and not down, and most importantly, don't be afraid of failing!

Even as I write these words I am thinking, is this cliche? Surely, everyone has heard every single word I am writing already. But, I don't care. I'm diving in and digging deep.

Stop hesitating, and go for it. Whatever "it" may be!

Don't forget to Smile.

There was something about today, about tonight really. A moment of bliss hit me. I'm not sure if it was the sip of Lobo Loco Syrah, the copious amounts of amazing people in my life, or the fact that I spent my day with some of those people. It could be the smile I have been forcing myself to wear even in not so fantastic moments (yes, friends, this is how hard one needs to try . . . SMILE!)

Maybe the endorphins in my body are sky high from my workout today, and since project "get hot" is well under way I can't help but feel excited (and it definitely is well under way).

Regardless of how I came to this magical moment of bliss, what I am sure it comes down to is the positivity. How can one be happy, in whatever circumstance, if they cannot learn to distinguish those things which make them truly blessed?

I know, you hear this all the time . . . Appreciate what you have . . blah blah blah.

But how many times have your really tried it? How many times have you sat down and written out the things you are grateful for? Even if it's silly. Super silly. Maybe "Hotel California" played on the radio on your drive somewhere. Maybe you had something delicious for breakfast, or someone made you laugh harder than you have in a long times. Was the sun shining today? Did you wake up alive and breathing? These are the essential things which you should be grateful for.

Who cares about the new Maserati, the booming business, the million dollar home, the yacht, the caviar . . . (by all means, please be grateful for these things too, and do plan to attain this level of success).

It's the little things. Ultimately, no matter what happens in your life, these seemingly little things will always be there. There should be comfort in knowing this.

So what it comes down to is this: Want more moments of bliss?

Force a smile even when you don't feel like it. Drink some organic Syrah (it has a higher alcohol content by the way), spend time with your friends after work, write down what you're grateful for (I suggest titling the page "Good Things"), and have some great people in your life (go get some if you don't).

Winking at yourself in the mirror and employing "get hot" projects are also helpful.

Practice what you Preach

Ok, so staying positive 24/7 is not the easiest thing ever. Maybe it's because I'm used to being grumpy and focusing on what I'm not happy about. Or maybe it has to do with waking up and working a double shift, making less money than ever (can't people tip adequately anymore?) at a job that doesn't register as the "super fabulous" one I'm hoping all this positive thinking will lead me to. Maybe it has to do with the June gloom. Sometimes just a little bit of sunshine goes a long way for me. . .

Regardless, sometimes all one needs is a little something to get back on track. Today I started reading Zig Ziglar's See you At the Top (right in line with our philosophy by the way) and came across this: "no one is smart enough to remember everything he knows."

It was at this moment that I was thankful for you, Blog Positive. I may know I need to stay away from negative thoughts and try my best to feel good at all times, but I don't always remember everything I know. I'm not that smart. Thankfully, you are here to remind me, even on days like today, of the giddy girl who smiled and winked at herself in the mirror a mere three days ago. She would not let a little June gloom, or a part time job get in her way of success. Nothing brings her down.

Try to keep it Fabulous!

Having a bad day? Feeling grumpy? Maybe your middle name is Grumpy. Here is what you do: Somehow thinking positive will rub off on your boyfriend and he will start to love you more than ever. On your graduation day he will surprise you with the most beautiful Coach bag you have ever seen. A leathery shade of pinkish beige, it will be something you never knew you wanted, but now that you have it, you will never be able to go back to not having it. The moment--the purse--will change the kind of woman you are.

The new accessory will inspire you to mold your life into something even more fabulous in order to match the bag and you will decide you need to go somewhere amazing to debut it. Since you are feeling positive, feeling good, and know success is imminently waiting, your mind will have no issues conceiving of the perfect place to go: The Donald Trump Golf Course.

You will arrive in a vacation-like daze after the beautiful drive up the coast of Palos Verdes. The rows of white and black Mercedes and BMW's will be glittering in the late morning sun as you drive past the massive white fountain which marks the entrance. Once inside you will be seated in a plush velvet chair in front of a large window overlooking the offsetting blues of the sky and the ocean. Your every dining need will be accommodated, including the suggestion of a luxuriously large pillow placed behind your back. You will decline. You are tall, and have no need for it.

The meal will be delicious, the view astonishing and you will start to feel like you are not trying anymore. The purse, the fabulousness, the "may I offer you any more coffee miss?" will all be a part of you, and of what you expect in this new life of yours. When you go to the bathroom, smile at that sexy girl in the mirror, wink, and softly say "yeah, baby."