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A few weeks ago I discovered a single, beautiful, blue-violet bloom (see photo) on my Morning Glory vine, which hasn’t bloomed in a year, and immediately felt uplifted, hopeful, optimistic and happy.

Why did this small event significantly impact my emotions?

Because it reminded me of something I “know” and had forgotten lately: that there always is hope, even when things look bleak and hopeless; with persistence and desire, even the smallest effort, we can survive and thrive, because we have the seed of success within us, just waiting to bloom.

This was a welcome reminder. Struggling to start a new business, I’ve felt scared, hopeless, sometimes helpless, doubting, self-critical and worried I made a mistake since I’m not yet seeing the “fruits of my labor” I need for financial support.

I thought my Morning Glory might never bloom again. Due to a severe drought watering is limited to a few minutes twice a week; unusually hot weather is quickly parching the plants; a number of garden “pests” are eating through my plants; my cat is using the soil for an additional litter box!

I know it’s normal to feel doubt and frustration when trying to do something as big and scary as starting a business, especially when it’s slow and no progress is evident, but I found myself going back to “old” negative thoughts. adding to my despair: what if I fail and am completely without money? What if I disappoint my family? What if I lose everything?

I seriously doubted I’d ever again see a bloom on the beautiful vine, or if it would survive much longer. I regretted the time and money I spent promoting its growth, which seemed like a waste, and wondered if I’d have to let it die.

Before I realized it, a runaway train of fear was speeding down the tracks of my brain; I felt helpless to stop it so did the best I could to slow it down, using the “formula” that always works for me and can work for you:

1. I reminded myself these are just thoughts:

I immersed myself in John Assaraf’s Brain-A-Thon, a seven hour webinar promoting his new program on the science of retraining your brain for success, using the latest techniques in neuroscience and neuroplasticity. All amazing stuff, which reminded me we CAN change our thoughts and beliefs–which are what causes us to feel worried, frustrated, scared, helpless.

Still I kept pulling the caterpillars off the leaves.

2. I meditated to calm and quiet my mind:

I did a Meet Your Inner Pilot Light meditation created by Lissa Rankin, MD, as part of the Ignite Your Divine Purpose program she leads with Amy Ahlers. The meditation reminds you of a time when you felt absolutely connected to your inner wisdom/self, and confirms that it’s always there to help you (which is my mantra).

I kept watering the plant to encourage its growth.

3. I read something inspiring:

I re-read Mike Dooley’s Leveraging The Universe, 7 Steps to Engaging Life’s Magic, which describes his journey “from fear to fortune”, using thoughts, words and actions to create the life of his dreams. Mike’s mantra, “thoughts become things, choose the good ones,” is universally known and practiced, and the perfect companion to John Assaraf’s neuroscience techniques for retraining your brain to tap into your potential, ignoring your shortcomings.

Every day I noticed how green the vine’s leaves were and that it was at least growing in length.

4. I did something physical in the beauty of nature:

I went for a walk with my son’s two black Puggles, breathing in the cool, fresh evening breeze, gazing at the ocean view between the houses as we walked.

I put small flower pots on the soil around the plant base to protect it from the cat and brighten up the area.

5. I reminded myself of my “truths”:

I’ve taken risks before and always been okay, in fact, better than ever; well-being always finds me; the first message I received from a non-physical source was “nothing tragic will happen; you are surrounded by love; you are never alone.”

I couldn’t just give up-if there was any chance the vine could survive I wanted that chance.

Then it happened–I saw the beautiful flower happily blooming, lifting its petals towards the sun and blending its vibrant color into the surrounding green leaves, as if it had always been there. I realized it’s never hopeless unless you give up, pull up the roots and throw out the soil. And even then you can always start over–no matter what.

If you’re feeling stressed, frustrated, helpless or hopeless, you CAN inspire yourself.

6. Start by looking for something that turned out well despite the circumstances.

Something as small as making a recipe and forgetting one ingredient, yet it tasted delicious!

Or a friend you haven’t heard from and thought was avoiding you for some unknown reason suddenly calls, telling you how crazy busy life has been and wanting to catch up with you.

Or thinking you turned the dryer heat on too high and shrunk your favorite shirt, yet it came out fine.

7. Look for things that show you life is going on as usual and you’re just stuck in a cycle of negative thinking.

Sometimes, most of the time, it’s the little things that show us life is abundant and designed for success; the sun comes up each day, the moon arises each night, birds, insects, animals all survive and thrive even in dense, smoggy, urban communities.

8. Keep “watering” your mind with positive thoughts:

Remove the”pesty” negative thoughts and protect the “soil” of your mind with practices like meditation, physical activity, reading or listening to something or someone inspiring; any practice that helps you relax and regenerate.

9. Never, ever, ever, ever, ever give up.

P.S. The Morning Glory continues to bloom nearly every day!