Discover the Secret to Success in Your Own Back Yard

Yesterday, I went above and beyond the call of duty for community service.

Thanks to me, not one black fly within a five-mile radius of my home went to bed hungry last night, and because of my loyal patronage and recurring need for calamine lotion, my pharmacist can now put his youngest through college.

All in a day's work. :-)

Some people may think I'm crazy for spending hours on end in my back yard, but the truth be told, I have answered many pressing questions, made many exciting discoveries, and received amazing creative insights, all while enjoying the solitude of my urban oasis.

It is in this beautiful refuge I have set the stage for my most rewarding successes.

When faced with difficult challenges or when stuck and unable to move forward, I head for the flower gardens with a spade in hand. On many occasions, I have spent up to eight hours crawling on my hands and knees pulling weeds, digging holes, and relocating plants.

Sometimes I just sit on a mound of soil and watch nature's creatures play out their lives in front of me.

I have come out of these "sessions" with solutions to my problems, fully composed newsletter articles, new and exciting business ideas and incredible positive energy.

Often within hours of leaving my back yard, I receive an unexpected phone call or e-mail from someone who provides just what I need to progress to the next level in my business or personal development.

The back yard provides an opportunity to quiet the mind and connect with a higher power. While digging in the soil, watching the chipmunks chase each other around the yard, and smelling the fragrant flowers, I reflect on where I am and where I want to be.

I set an intention to create the future I seek and share it with each plant and blade of grass I touch.

Silencing the mind and emerging yourself in nature is mandatory to personal and professional growth. It also provides a powerful conduit between you and the universal source that permeates all life and connects us all.

These quiet times provide the perfect opportunity for you to ask yourself how satisfied you are with your current reality and decide on what you would like to create.

Laurie works with small and home-based business owners who want to grow or build their business without sacrificing quality of life. She is the author of numerous articles and a bi-weekly newsletter, "The Heart of Living."

To subscribe to her free newsletter and learn more about coaching, visit http://www.wheretheheartis-lifecoaching.com