Once you choose hope, anything’s possible. (Christopher Reeve)

It snowed from about 6:00 last night (Sunday) until well into the afternoon today.

No school for Abigail.  She watched Cold Case and Seventh Heaven all day (her latest faves).

I didn’t have to worry about getting to an office, braving the traffic or the mass transit.  

In fact, I stayed in bed until almost 8:00 – almost unheard of for me.  Actually I got up, did a few of my habits, and returned to bed to listen to about 30 minutes of inspiration/motivation.

Today’s choice was The Secret audio book recorded by Rhonda Byrne.

I’ve listened to it already three or four times.  The message always resonates with me although, while I think visualization plays a role in achieving your dreams, I do have a hard time believing that it is the be all and end all of achieving the life of your dreams.

Know what I mean?

Today I recalled a story that reminded me of the lessons of The Secret though.  It was the early 1960’s and I had recently entered first grade at Holy Angels School in Arcadia, California.  My parents had made the trip to California from Michigan by car, taking our time and stopping at various attractions on the way like Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon.  We’d finally settled in Arcadia and I’d quickly grown to love Southern California.

One afternoon just my mother and I were alone shopping in downtown Arcadia when I saw the sign in Hinshaw’s department store announcing an art contest.  It was a contest for children between the grades of kindergarten and 6th grade.  Entrants were to paint a picture of their mother and the winning picture would be on display in Hinshaw’s main window and would receive a $50 gift certificate (quite a bit of money in those days!).

I remember getting so excited after I went home, envisioning my picture in the store’s window – and what I’d buy with the $50 gift certificate!

After awhile, though, my enthusiasm waned.  I couldn’t seem to get down on the paper the image that was in my head.  I started over and over again.

Finally, as the date grew closer for turning in entries, I developed my best work.

But, it still didn’t satisfy me.  I remember exclaiming in frustration “I’ll probably get third place!”  I didn’t even want to turn my painting in.  But my mother insisted.

You guessed it.

Several weeks later we got word that I had won third place.  My picture, of my mother holding my baby sister, would be displayed in Hinshaw’s window along with the first and second prize winners.  

I got a gift certificate for $10.  The exquisite miniature standing stuffed poodle that I bought with it was something I treasured for years.

What if I had never wavered in my belief that I would win First Prize though … ?  

Maybe there is something to this visualization after all!