I have discovered two ways in which we come to understand what we want in life: when we get a taste of what we want for a moment, but then have to go back to the life we are living that does not include it, and when we do have it and cannot imagine living any differently.

In each instance, it has been my experience that I would create doubt in my mind initially that what I hope for (to attain it or to maintain it) will be hard, if not impossible to do. However, I eventually come to realize that the reason I have such doubts is due to my intense desire and clarity of what embodies the life I wish or enjoy living. 

I share this to demonstrate that often our fears stem from a realization of a hard to find truth. And instead of fearing we will either not be able to reach our goals or will lose what we have worked so hard to attain, why not flip those negative feelings on their head and live with a deep appreciation and affection for the knowledge we have found. 

Reflect for a moment upon what it felt like prior to either of the realizations, when you did not know what you wanted, when you did not experience the feeling of being "home" in your life. To finally come to a place in which you know which direction you want to travel, where you wish to grow roots, that is something grand to celebrate. Something to cheer about because it is not easy to find. 

When we shift from fear to appreciation, we cultivate positive energy and let go of the negative energy that scares more goodness away. Being appreciative does not mean we will not have to work hard to either attain or maintain what we have discovered, but it makes our lives far more enjoyable and more likely that we will create more positive energy around us, which brings more of what we want rather than more of what we do not. 

Today, consider shifting how you handle the knowledge you now have about your life and what you would like it to be (whether it be with regards to your personal life, career, legacy, etc.). While we do not know what the future will bring, the type of energy we bring to each day is our life, so why not make it celebratory, hopeful and determined. 

In today's newsletter, there is a glimpse at the summer style season, more than a few Francophile finds in this week's This & That post, inspiration for finding a mini weekend of sorts during the middle of the week, and a couple of books that I think you might enjoy. Of course, those are just a few highlights, and now I will wrap my letter up so that you can enjoy it all. Wishing you a lovely weekend, and until next week, I'll see you on the blog.

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