Today Morgan Miller easily states with joy, "I'm entranced by what I see all about me. I try to capture the beauty, simplicity, whimsy and spirit of things that attract my attention."

This ease of artistic expression perfectly in sync with her view of the world wasn't always so harmonious. Morgan trained at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design. Yet, early in her career (like many of us feeling we have to be practical) she fell into medical photography as a way to earn a paycheck rather than explore her art. When she got burnt out, she stepped away from photography altogether, funneling her creativity into home renovation and design.

Then in 1998 at 52, after being happily nestled into her second marriage for several years, Morgan was "pissing and moaning" about a client when her husband lovingly challenged her saying, "You're using your life's force to choose sofas? Why don't you pick up your camera again?"

Of her husband Morgan affectionately says, "Bill is my champion. He pushes and cheers me." It was the perfect prod. As it happened (talk about everything happening at perfectly the right time) digital cameras came out that year and with her first digital Nikon, Morgan realized that she had to learn everything all over, from the picture-taking to the digital editing programs. And, she embraced the learning.

Always a lover of anything antique, she found her first photographic focus in stone angels. "We were living in Northern California and someone told me about a beautiful weeping angel on the Stanford University campus. I looked all over and finally found it in an old olive grove. It was breathtaking. After that I went looking for stone angels -- in cemeteries and in monuments of London and Paris.

"The moment I really leapt forward with my photography was on a solo car trip. I decided I needed to go out on my own to explore, to just see what captured my attention. She headed west from Washington State (where she was now living) to Idaho and Utah, down to Arizona and across to California and then up the coast. "I had no planned stops, no agenda. It was amazing, fun and fascinating!" She took pictures of petroglyphs in Utah, the missions in California: photographs that are finding their way into her new multi- layered photographic art.

Morgan says that all the phases of her life prepared her for this stage of her career and craft. I'm 63 and I'm amazed at myself, what I'm able to learn about photo finishing, about printing, about techniques that keep me at the leading edge of my profession. Our kids call us for technical information," she says with a gusty laugh.

Morgan and her husband are also avid law of attraction advocates. Morgan began doing dream boards around her dream home last year and five dream boards later she was ensconced in her new home. "I can think of nothing better than to say at the end of my life, "What a ride! I see people who have stopped growing and learning. Bill and I encourage growth in each other. We got clear about what we wanted and we so appreciate where we are right now. We're seekers of joy and beauty." Morgan's photography is featured throughout this month's ezine. She can be reached at her website: www.morganjmiller.com or email at morgan@morganjmiller.com

If you want to learn how you can use dream boards and other visualization techniques to manifest your dreams and desires, contact me about my online workshop beginning March 3, "Picture Your Life with Radiant Confidence and Momentum." Digital camera required.

Our dreams and goals are important, yet sometimes we take it all too seriously. We think everything has to be perfect before we risk a new endeavor. We think that it's all up to us to accomplish every single thing. We wear ourselves out fretting about whether we know enough...when we could be having lots more fun. How? By realizing the following:

1. Timing is everything. If you are taking active steps to realize your vision then relax. Have faith that everything will happen at the right time. Worrying about it doesn't make it happen faster.
   
2. You need to leave room for magic. I know many business books direct you to have a master plan and to break that down to smaller plans and into mini-steps you can take. Way too overwhelming for me. I recommend having a masterpiece vision and then taking one step at a time that tells the universe you're clear and you're serious. Then leave room for magic to happen. Sometimes we can't think of or plan the wonderful ways that opportunities are presented to us. We just have to be open and ready for them.
   
3. Living "as if" takes you half way there. Why wait for your dream to fully manifest when you can live "as if" right now. When you create a mind-set, a life attitude, that expresses "Isn't it wonderful to be living in abundance now," you feel more blessed and appreciative and are happier. And, this sincere feeling inspires your mind, heart and soul to find fun, creative paths toward your goal. It takes practice, but even that practice is fun.
   
4. If you're feeling the love you're doing everything right: This may seem corny but "love is the answer." So love your daily life process, love the beauty of the world around you, love the opportunities you get, even love the challenges that make you grow. And, especially love how easy it is for you to show kindness and affection for others. It's all riches.

Photograph by Morgan J. Miller

Dream boards and vision collages can help you get clarity around what is important now, not in the past! Discover how by taking a look at my ebook which describes10 different dream board formats, including Gratitude Boards and Taking Stock Dream Boards:Picture Your Life and Manifest Your Desires with more Clarity, Focus & Success.

"I manifest this creating place. It seems miraculous. All my life is simplified into a beautiful image."

Morgan J. Miller

16th Annual Women of Wisdom Conference
February 15-18, 2008.
Dream Board Seminar
Sunday Evening 6:30 - 9:30 pm

Dinner & A Dream Board
February 27, 2007, 6:00 - 8:30 pm
$50 for complete dinner and dream board creation/materials
Watercress Asian Bistro
Redmond, WA
Reservation required. Call 425-284-3188

Melissa Wadsworth is a self-help author, inspirational speaker and dream mentor. Through her writing, presentations and seminars, she emphasizes the vital importance of wide-awake living and mindful communications to a fulfilling and successful life path.

If you wish to use any of the articles from this issue in your own electronic newsletter or ezine please include the following paragraph:

Reprinted from What You Notice Matters! a complementary ezine from conscious living expert Melissa Wadsworth. Interviews and articles deliver inspiration and tips for achieving personal and professional abundance through awareness.