The personal Challenge of starting each day with a cheerful good morning is something we should all take seriously. It is easy to pass up, because it seems so simple. Often we think dramatic change must require dramatic effort. Not so. This simple step can change your life in more ways than you can imagine.

Let's start with the basic scientific principle like attracts like. Let me share this with you in a few different perspectives.

Have you noticed that people who complain about bills and debt -- seem to become more in debt?

Have you noticed that people who complain and are negative -- tend to have more negative things happen to them than their non-complaining counterparts?

Have you ever noticed that people who have seemingly boundless energy and optimism have something new and wonderful to report almost every time you visit?

Have you noticed that those people who frequently complain or degrade themselves about their weight - tend to fail in weight loss endeavors?

Are you detecting a trend? Good. Let's transfer this trend to Good Morning.

I want you to stop for a moment and visualize the month of June. How did your mornings start? What was happening during the first hour after you awoke?

Now, I am not psychic, but I am going to go out on a limb and make a few predictions:

If you began most of your days thinking negatively (life is too stressful; I am overwhelmed; I have too much to do) I would predict that your June has been stressful, you feel overwhelmed and you haven't gotten much done.

If you began most of your days thinking very positively (something great will happen today; I like myself; I am so grateful that I have food and/or shelter and/or health) I would predict that your days, for the most-part, were content and fulfilling and you had unexpected moments of joy.

If you began your days somewhere in the middle of the two examples above (or just on autopilot) I would venture to say that your June probably looked a lot like May did-- with no significant change.

Which brings us to another one of my favorite quotes: "If you keep doing what you're doing, you'll keep getting what you're getting." Most of you who come to the Challenge have come here because we know we deserve more and we know we can have a richer, fuller life--we just need a path to follow.

I am giving you that path, but only you can move your feet forward. You can't find a better way by reading about the Challenge -- you can only find a better way by living the Challenge.

If you aren't saying Good Morning - then here's the rub - you aren't living the challenge. This is one of the foundation blocks of the entire program. The program will still work - but not nearly as good as it could. You can take control of clutter, save your finances and accomplish many other goals - but will you feel that happiness and excitement we all yearn for in our lives? No. At least not on a consistent basis. Happiness is always a choice.

Don't believe me? I am living proof. Last week I had a few major obstacles in my life. I am in the process of having extensive oral surgery which involves the cutting of all my gums. The procedure was scheduled for this past Wednesday (and yes, it is as painful as it sounds). This past weekend, I had the Memorial service for my father who died unexpectedly at age 60.

However, this past Monday, a colleague e-mailed and asked how things were going. I e-mailed back that everything was great (and I meant it!) I mentioned that I had an upcoming surgery and a memorial but that overall life was good--and it is. Part of this is also learning to be in the moment (something we work on a lot in the Challenge.)

When I went to my father's memorial, I was fully present and felt all the emotions I needed to feel - but I did not let those emotions prevent me from the other joys of the week. If you wonder how that is possible, I can't explain it to you. I can only tell you to live the Challenge -- and you will see it in your own life.

You might be stressed about money--but focus on it too much and you will only create more money trouble. You will also miss out on the joys of each day.

You might be stressed about a relationship--but don't let that rob you from the special moments of other relationships in your life.

You might be saddened over a loss or a death--but don't let that steal the happiness that is available by spending time with those who are living.

Life might "happen" on its own - but we are the ones who are steering our hearts and minds. If you don't actively steer, don't act surprised when you wind up somewhere you don't want to be.

Which brings us full circle --- how do we steer? We steer through basic cognitive hope, expectation and programming. We reprogram the negativity and the bad experiences. We let those go and create a new life. We don't do it overnight. We do it step-by-step until we become stronger than our troubles--and then we overcome them.

Saying Good Morning is the first step. Are you taking it each and every day? Are you steering your life to expect the best? If not, let today be the last day you live on auto-pilot. It's time to take the wheel.

New Good Morning! Service

Start Every Day with a Good Morning thought from Brook Noel (free of course!)

send a blank e-mail to goodmorning@changeyourlifechallenge.com

Every morning, you will receive a quote to inspire your day, an affirmation to use throughout the day, and a short paragraph of inspiration. What's even more powerful is to realize that thousands of people around the world will be saying the same affirmations with you as they take the wheel and head toward happiness.