So many times we end our year by looking back on the lowlights more than we do on the highlights.  Instead, take your time to write on a piece of paper what the best things were over 2010, and why.

After you start searching your memory for those better moments, you will position yourself for the upcoming year with a more positive outlook and receptive heart.

When I was on your side I used to work hard at trying to make things go well.  So when something didn’t, it really stood out in my mind and (forgive me) even crushed my heart at times.  But now I see the wisdom of trusting that no matter what - in every situation - there is God’s hand at work. 

Look through your heart’s eyes to uncover what God has given you this year that has carried you forward with Him.  Blessings are only disguised when one doesn’t look closer.

Happy New Year!

After football practice I always liked to take my time coming home, thinking about my future as I walked.  Sometimes I would imagine myself as student body president, and boy it felt great!

What I found out later (after I died) is that my walks and talks with myself did me a world of good.  It seems that as I walked, my higher heart rate assisted my thoughts in reaching a positive outlook along with powerful ideas toward reaching goals.

Eventually I became class president and even initiated a foreign exchange program for students which did, indeed, open a new and exciting world for all of us!

When I was young my temperature suddenly shot up one day.  No matter what the doctor did it wouldn’t break.  After several long days and nights he told my parents I probably wouldn’t make it.  That’s when I heard my mother plead with me not to die.  It was strange because even though I could see her by my bedside, her mouth wasn’t moving.

When I got older I asked my mother about those difficult days.  She confirmed that what I heard inside was what she prayed to God, over and over.

I now know there are many levels of communication and consciousness, but none more powerful than the connection between two hearts that need one another. 

Blame gave me permission not do what I knew I should do.  I was young and full of excuses.

Fortunately, however, my older brother saw to it that I got exactly what I deserved: both good and bad.  For instance, when I came home late, he locked me out of our room.  When I did a great job cleaning my share of the garage, he slipped me extra cash.

No two people are exactly alike so I can’t say that what worked for us will work for you, but I can say that when I saw the immediate results of what I did, it turned me around. 

If you’ve ever tried and tried to hurry, you know how often it ends up that you do exactly the wrong thing, putting you further and further behind.  Ironic, isn’t it? 

After taking the wrong turn one night while driving too quickly to get to the birth of my best friend’s baby, I swerved and plowed head first into a ditch.  Before help could arrive, I died.

Take your time with everything.  It keeps your thoughts clear, which means you’re better able to make smart choices.  Learn from people like me.  Be wise.  Time is on your side when you don’t push it. 

After I died I spent a lot of time thinking about my life: the ups and downs.  And the one thing I came away with that seemed like a normal concern was how to tell if someone was lying to you. 

What I came away with is that when people are lying they stall for time.  They want you to wait while they straighten their desks, sip their water, or clear their throats.  The point is, they desperately try to fill the time where truth would otherwise naturally flow.

Once you know what to watch for they’re funny, in a way!

Remember when you and your spouse were first in love?  How you used to look at one another, searching each others’ faces for every detail not wanting to miss a thing?

YEARS LATER:  Leaving one another for work each day can pull you in opposite directions and take a toll on your relationship.  And while you may think it’s because of the kids, the bills, and the stresses of work that detract from your feelings of love, it’s not.  It’s how you look at one another.

Before you leave your spouse each day, remember that what they see in you has a lot to do with how they feel about you throughout the day.  Keep this in mind because if you’re not going to be happy to see them, someone else will.  I learned this the hard way through divorce after 34 years of marriage. 

While people want to know what the secret to a long marriage is, I believe it’s just as important to know what the traps are toward divorce, as well.

Stay in love!

Pam G. 
11/14/10

Chances are many of the people you’ve known for a long time will still surprise you.  That’s something I found out as I got older when someone I knew for decades amazed me when he shared his deep desire to conduct a symphony someday.

“Do It!” I told him. “Find an orchestra.  There’s one out there!” Well, he did and it was something neither of us ever forgot.

When you get to witness others’ dreams coming true it connects you with them, and the extraordinary feelings you share will remain unforgetable.  Seek out those opportunities!

Tom
11/07/10

I had pretty low self-esteem until my mom enrolled me in a summer class when I was 13.  That’s when I learned how to juggle…but with a twist: keeping many different things in the air at the same time.  No small fete! 

In truth what I learned was how to control my reflexes.  What I gained was a lot of fun!  So while juggling gave me bragging rights, my positive outlook actually helped come from looking up.  It’s true! 

You know how someone looks down when they feel down?  Why isn’t it understood that instead of taking drugs or doing stupid things for a rush, people should embrace nature’s way by looking up?  Really!

No one deserves to feel like a loser.  Take control over your life.  Look up to feel up! Watch planes, kites, birds, stars, coins you toss and rubber bands you shoot.  It works.  Pass it on because now it’s your turn to change the world!

Trent
10/31/10

I want to help those of you who are asthma sufferers by urging you to cough even when you don’t need to; to empty your lungs of old, stale, microscopic bacteria. 

Much faster than you think the coughing related to ‘catching your breath’ will abate because the root cause for your asthma (bacteria) will discharge.  I know this works.  I experienced it for myself when I was on your side.

Coming through is a blessing for me.  I hope you see this as a blessing for you.

Pamela
10/24/10
IMPORTANT NOTE FROM LYNN SCOTT:  Please see a physician and follow their advice if you suffer from asthma. 

TV stars.  Who are they?  What’s so different about them? I used to ask myself these questions over and over when I was on your side feeling trapped as a folk singer in my small community.  Being in the bright lights called to me, but I didn’t know how to get there.

Then one day while singing to another small crowd I noticed how bored and uninspired they looked.  Weren’t they enjoying my music?  What I came to realize was they were mirroring me. I looked detached from them, so of course they felt detached from me. 

After that I changed things up.  I sat up tall as I sang, smiled more, and threw in personal words of interest between songs.  Almost overnight the audience swelled into larger and larger crowds.  I can’t say I became an overnight success, but I did become something of a recognized celebrity!

Learn to project the outcome you want, so it will be there for you to walk into!

Tina
10/17/10

Being a bartender seemed great at first.  The tips were good, the hours predictable, and a lot of people considered me a friend.  But now in hindsight?  Dealing with drunks was making my life a misery.

I want to advise anyone considering bartending to think it through twice.  You have to know how to handle drunks.  And believe me, you cannot win an arguement with a drunk.  Ever. 

While trying to break up a fight between two obnoxious drunks one night I accidentally got shoved down some stairs, ended up with a concussion, and was dead within hours.

Stupid accidents like this happen all the time when you hang out with drunks.  Nothing’s worth that.  Walk away while you can. 

Jay
10/10/10

People who trust others are often seen as naïve, but I can tell you that in the long run it makes your life much more pleasant.  It releases you from having to figure out who, what, or why you shouldn’t trust them.

I had a lot of things in life I adored, but none more than my friends.  In large part I owed that to my openness in trusting people.  Afterall, before they became dear friends they were just people!

Beatrice
10/03/10

When I was just 17 I saw a truly beautiful woman in a tailor’s shop.  She caught my eye not just because of her obvious beauty, but because of the way she projected herself.  There is something important and special about her, I thought.  That’s how every woman should look and feel.

In time I came to realize she personified confidence as well as loveliness.  Inspired by this, I eventually opened a chain of charm schools (that’s what they were called in the 50’s!) throughout the Northeast.

Financially I became more successful than I ever thought possible given my humble beginnings.  More importantly, hundreds of young women – including myself – became successful, reaching new heights of confidence and security knowing they were special.

Investigate what catches your eye and then pour your heart into it.  It may be God’s way of calling you into your very special future!

Jane
09/26/10

A goal I had in life was to enjoy each day to the best of my ability.  I know that’s not always easy, believe me.  I mean, we all have hardships and pains, but then it came to me one day that if I enjoyed me, I would enjoy life.  It was that simple!

Once I figured this out it was like everything else fell into place.  My work, my relationships, even my health.  Start becoming the most enjoyable person you know to be with, because you are the company you keep.  Enjoy!

Cyril
09/19/10

A good reason to give back to others is because it’s good for you.  I never fully believed that until I was widowed and alone, slowly finding myself complaining to anyone who would listen.  One day (thank you, God!) I couldn’t stand it a moment longer.  Hearing myself was making me sick, not to mention others exhausted.  That’s when I decided it was time to get over myself. 

Several days and phone calls later I was out and about helping to organize a food bank along with others who were a lot like me: alone and wanting to feel needed.

After months of working hard and meeting new friends, I found that I needed them more than they needed me.  Imagine, giving really helps everyone to receive.  I hope I’ve given you something to think about!

Hazel
09/12/10

When I was in my early 20s a sneaker wave scooped me up while chasing my hat down the beach.  Just a few yards from shore I could see friends and strangers making efforts to save me, but the current was too strong.

What matters to me now is to get young people to learn to keep their eyes open. For instance, I can’t tell you how many young people are over here that shouldn’t be.  For the sake of a text message, a make-up adjustment, or a quick kiss behind the wheel, they put their lives in peril and their family’s lives in sorrow.

While they KNOW better, they have to be encouraged to DO better.  Remind them over and over.  It will make a difference.

Catherine R. 
09/05/10

The work was easy.  Load and unload trucks as fast as they entered and departed.  Nothing hard about that until I overheard one of the drivers bragging about transporting illegal substances, and how easy it was to get away with it.

I’ve come through today to tell you about this event because I want people to know that if they have information about a crime, they can’t just walk away from it and pretend like their hands are clean.  Either way, the law or the criminals will catch up with them.

Give up trying to be neutral.  You’re either part of the problem or part of the solution.  Easy as that.  Without reporting what I heard, I became a sitting duck for the driver who later saw to it that I was silenced.  Too late for me but not for you.

Anton
08/29/10

Growing up in England was a delight.  Happily, I sketched and painted my way through decades of extensive travels and exciting times. How wonderful it was to see my heart express itself.  Perfume even now!

Before your life closes, paint or draw scenes that depict some of your favoirte memories.  Even if you’re in a city highrise, take up a pencil and sketch vistas from your childhood days when you were out in nature filled with curiosity and wonderment.

Feel those memories again.  Feel the joy!  Get going today.  I promise you’ll be surprised over and over again at what your heart wants to project!

Cedric
08/22/10

The truth is, the more you think about something the more complicated it gets.  So before you tackle something next time, relax, take a deep breath, and then hum a simple little tune.  Something like Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star will do!

Once you begin following this easy advice, I guarantee you’ll struggle less with every choice and decision.  By relaxing your mind, your outlook rises to the best possible outcome and you’ll feel it like a magic carpet ride to clarity!

Monica
08/15/10