I am so very grateful for friends. My husband and I had a wonderful New Year's Eve spent at home with friends, eating, laughing (there was a lot of laughing) and sharing. Bless you my friends!
I am grateful for the abundance of food that we eat and share. We sometimes take for granted the act of going to the grocery store to purchase food. In a world where some don't have that luxury, I will not take that for granted.
I am grateful to have my new blog up and running! It took a few days of trial and error and I'm sure there will more but I am thrilled to share my gratitude with the world and hopefully, watch gratitude spread.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Friday, December 31, 2010
2010 in a nutshell
Another year is almost behind us and I'm thinking about what a rollercoaster year it's been.
This same time last year, we had a different address. January of this year found us without jobs. In March, we moved across country and away from friends and family to a new address. In August, we moved once again - another address! This time back with friends and family - home! Driving across the country, taking a new route, I enjoyed the beautiful mountains, visited with a dear friend who lives out of state and marveled at how my dog can sit for hours on end in the backseat of a car and never complain. In October I found gainful employment - thank you God! and in November the news of a new baby coming in May 2011! Christmas was spent with many friends and loved ones enjoying each other and the realization that this is truly
what it's all about.
The rollercoaster is what it is and I choose to focus on all the lessons, all the good that comes from life. Some days are much easier than others but at the end of the day I can always, always find things to be thankful for.
Tomorrow I'll start my Gratitude Journal and hope that it becomes contagious. I invite all who read this to post their daily thoughts of gratitude in the comments section. I truly hope to inspire many but honestly, if I only inspire myself...that too I will be grateful for.
This same time last year, we had a different address. January of this year found us without jobs. In March, we moved across country and away from friends and family to a new address. In August, we moved once again - another address! This time back with friends and family - home! Driving across the country, taking a new route, I enjoyed the beautiful mountains, visited with a dear friend who lives out of state and marveled at how my dog can sit for hours on end in the backseat of a car and never complain. In October I found gainful employment - thank you God! and in November the news of a new baby coming in May 2011! Christmas was spent with many friends and loved ones enjoying each other and the realization that this is truly
what it's all about.
The rollercoaster is what it is and I choose to focus on all the lessons, all the good that comes from life. Some days are much easier than others but at the end of the day I can always, always find things to be thankful for.
Tomorrow I'll start my Gratitude Journal and hope that it becomes contagious. I invite all who read this to post their daily thoughts of gratitude in the comments section. I truly hope to inspire many but honestly, if I only inspire myself...that too I will be grateful for.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Make The Best Of Everything You Have
A good friend shared this with me today so I thought I'd share it with you. 
A group of graduates, well established in their careers, were talking at a
reunion and decided to go visit their old university professor, now retired.
During their visit, the conversation turned to complaints about stress in
their work and lives. Offering his guests hot chocolate, the professor went
into the kitchen and returned with a large pot of hot chocolate and an
assortment of cups - porcelain, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some
expensive, some exquisite - telling them to help themselves to the hot
chocolate.
When they all had a cup of hot chocolate in hand, the professor said:
"Notice that all the nice looking, expensive cups were taken, leaving behind
the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only the best
for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress. The cup that
you're drinking from adds nothing to the quality of the hot chocolate. In
most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we
drink. What all of you really wanted was hot chocolate, not the cup; but you
consciously went for the best cups... And then you began eyeing each other's
cups.
Now consider this: Life is the hot chocolate; your job, money and position
in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain life. The
cup you have does not define, nor change the quality of life you have.
Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the hot
chocolate God has provided us. God makes the hot chocolate, man chooses the
cups. The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make
the best of everything that they have.
Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.
And enjoy your hot chocolate.
A group of graduates, well established in their careers, were talking at a
reunion and decided to go visit their old university professor, now retired.
During their visit, the conversation turned to complaints about stress in
their work and lives. Offering his guests hot chocolate, the professor went
into the kitchen and returned with a large pot of hot chocolate and an
assortment of cups - porcelain, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some
expensive, some exquisite - telling them to help themselves to the hot
chocolate.
When they all had a cup of hot chocolate in hand, the professor said:
"Notice that all the nice looking, expensive cups were taken, leaving behind
the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only the best
for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress. The cup that
you're drinking from adds nothing to the quality of the hot chocolate. In
most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we
drink. What all of you really wanted was hot chocolate, not the cup; but you
consciously went for the best cups... And then you began eyeing each other's
cups.
Now consider this: Life is the hot chocolate; your job, money and position
in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain life. The
cup you have does not define, nor change the quality of life you have.
Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the hot
chocolate God has provided us. God makes the hot chocolate, man chooses the
cups. The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make
the best of everything that they have.
Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.
And enjoy your hot chocolate.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Another year over, a new one just begun
There's a specific lyric in the song Happy Christmas by John Lennon that makes me stop in my tracks and do a bit of soul searching every time I hear it. "so this is Christmas, and what have you done? another year over, a new one just begun"
I always stop and contemplate...what HAVE I done? Have I given a little kindness, have I eased a little pain? Have I made a difference in the world?
I have made a commitment to myself that in 2011 I will leave something behind. I will become more active in my community, I will share of myself more freely and, I will Be The Change I Want To See In The World!
And so, this year, my commitment is to start an on-line Gratitude Journal. For years I have kept a gratitude journal by my bedside.Every night, before falling asleep, I leave a journal entry of 3-5 things that I am grateful for. Some nights these entries are very topical, sometimes deeply thought out, but always from my heart. It has kept me grounded. It reminds me on a daily basis, even in times of trial, when things seem to be going in a direction that I never planned I always have so much to be thankful for.
I look forward to a blissfully joyful, love filled, sometimes painful, ever changing new year filled with adventure. And at the end of every day - gratitude. Gratitude for being blessed with the opportunity to breathe in another day.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Change Begins With A Thought
I ran across this article and had to share it. I give full credit to the author - Vito LaFata at Fitness Evolution, Laguna Hills, CA
Change and transformation require energy. I’m not going to lie… it’s difficult to focus in a hyperactive world. But, if we are to succeed at creating outer change for our body and our life; it involves us changing inside as well at the mental and emotional level of our being.
There is always a period of inner work before evolving. The greater the outer change you wish to see happen, the greater the inner change that needs to take place first. You have to “BE” that thought, “DO” that action in order to “HAVE” the transformation you desire. You have to lead with serious intentions and a hunger and desire to evolve that requires you to dig in with your emotional motivation.
If you can focus your intentions, which is a subtle energy that attracts what you want, you can transform your goals into reality. Your decision to change begins with a thought. This is how behavior is modified, and change takes place. You are more likely to change your behavior by focusing on your intentions. If you can see the obstacles that get in your way, you can visualize getting past them to your goals.
My experience for success has always been to keep it simple.
Small incremental changes over time result in life-long rewards that are absolutely profound and worth the effort.
Share and communicate your plan of action and goals with others for added accountability and you will find yourself taking what was once a mere thought right into reality!
Change and transformation require energy. I’m not going to lie… it’s difficult to focus in a hyperactive world. But, if we are to succeed at creating outer change for our body and our life; it involves us changing inside as well at the mental and emotional level of our being.
There is always a period of inner work before evolving. The greater the outer change you wish to see happen, the greater the inner change that needs to take place first. You have to “BE” that thought, “DO” that action in order to “HAVE” the transformation you desire. You have to lead with serious intentions and a hunger and desire to evolve that requires you to dig in with your emotional motivation.
If you can focus your intentions, which is a subtle energy that attracts what you want, you can transform your goals into reality. Your decision to change begins with a thought. This is how behavior is modified, and change takes place. You are more likely to change your behavior by focusing on your intentions. If you can see the obstacles that get in your way, you can visualize getting past them to your goals.
My experience for success has always been to keep it simple.
Small incremental changes over time result in life-long rewards that are absolutely profound and worth the effort.
Share and communicate your plan of action and goals with others for added accountability and you will find yourself taking what was once a mere thought right into reality!
Thursday, June 3, 2010
What motivates you?
I was asked today by another Life Coach, "What drives you?" "Is it good food, love, wealth,interesting people?"
Gosh, I hope this Life Coach has a bit more awareness of what some if not most of her clients are going through day to day. I hope that if she is aware, that she has more compassion and is readied to offer some sound coaching and motivational input.
Please understand, I love a good bottle of wine, I love...no, wait, I LOVE shoes, I love to shop. But with the economy the way it is, and hearing stories day after day from clients and friends who have lost their job, not able to make a mortgage payment, or taking lesser jobs, etc. That dose of reality does not have me or anyone else I know being motivated by good food, love, wealth or interesting people. Just being brutally honest here.
Here was my response;
The motivation to make a difference in this world, not only for me but others as well.
The challenges facing us all at this time are exactly what we don't want yet which give us a unique opportunity. An opportunity to look inside our hearts and ask, "If I am truly committed to having an outstanding, brilliant, fantastic life, one where I live and treasure each moment and share that with the rest of the world to contribute to it's magnificence, what would that look like, feel like, be like?"
Am I willing to rely on the government to make my life better? Am I willing to rely on outside forces or influences to make my life better? I ask myself this, "if not me, who?" "Who else is going to make MY world great and how can I expect anyone else to do something I'm not prepared to do myself?"
That's what motivates me every single day.
Gosh, I hope this Life Coach has a bit more awareness of what some if not most of her clients are going through day to day. I hope that if she is aware, that she has more compassion and is readied to offer some sound coaching and motivational input.
Please understand, I love a good bottle of wine, I love...no, wait, I LOVE shoes, I love to shop. But with the economy the way it is, and hearing stories day after day from clients and friends who have lost their job, not able to make a mortgage payment, or taking lesser jobs, etc. That dose of reality does not have me or anyone else I know being motivated by good food, love, wealth or interesting people. Just being brutally honest here.
Here was my response;
The motivation to make a difference in this world, not only for me but others as well.
The challenges facing us all at this time are exactly what we don't want yet which give us a unique opportunity. An opportunity to look inside our hearts and ask, "If I am truly committed to having an outstanding, brilliant, fantastic life, one where I live and treasure each moment and share that with the rest of the world to contribute to it's magnificence, what would that look like, feel like, be like?"
Am I willing to rely on the government to make my life better? Am I willing to rely on outside forces or influences to make my life better? I ask myself this, "if not me, who?" "Who else is going to make MY world great and how can I expect anyone else to do something I'm not prepared to do myself?"
That's what motivates me every single day.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Simple (but you must commit) Secrets of Success
This simple routine can and will inspire greatness. And, don’t be surprised in what direction it may take you.
Take a piece of paper and on the top write the words 10 Goals along with today’s date.
Now ask yourself, if you could only accomplish one goal, but you would have to accomplish this goal within 24 hours, which one goal would have the greatest positive impact in your life?
Really think about the goal that would give you the greatest positive impact: it could be financial, it could be emotional. Trust me, that one goal will jump off the page at you.
Circle that goal, turn the paper over and write that goal at the top of that page, along with a deadline to achieve that goal.
Underneath that, write down anything and everything you’ll need to do in order to accomplish this goal. Do a mind dump; writing everything that immediately comes to mind in order to accomplish this.
Some of these may be obtaining a higher education, becoming certified in your desired field. Or these Must Do’s may be something more immediate such as signing up for a gym membership, or starting the process of putting your house up for sale.
Leave no Must Dos in your mind. Everything necessary to achieve this goal must be written down.
Then, every day do one thing necessary to getting you closer to achieving this goal. One thing, every single day.
You may have to work on one thing for days, or weeks, or even months - but commit to doing one thing every day to get you closer to your desired goal.
The key word is commit!
People begin to become great when they determine their purpose. In one year’s time you can look back at that paper and not only be astonished at where you are, and what you’ve achieved but you’ll have a great sense of purpose and accomplishment.
Take a piece of paper and on the top write the words 10 Goals along with today’s date.
Now ask yourself, if you could only accomplish one goal, but you would have to accomplish this goal within 24 hours, which one goal would have the greatest positive impact in your life?
Really think about the goal that would give you the greatest positive impact: it could be financial, it could be emotional. Trust me, that one goal will jump off the page at you.
Circle that goal, turn the paper over and write that goal at the top of that page, along with a deadline to achieve that goal.
Underneath that, write down anything and everything you’ll need to do in order to accomplish this goal. Do a mind dump; writing everything that immediately comes to mind in order to accomplish this.
Some of these may be obtaining a higher education, becoming certified in your desired field. Or these Must Do’s may be something more immediate such as signing up for a gym membership, or starting the process of putting your house up for sale.
Leave no Must Dos in your mind. Everything necessary to achieve this goal must be written down.
Then, every day do one thing necessary to getting you closer to achieving this goal. One thing, every single day.
You may have to work on one thing for days, or weeks, or even months - but commit to doing one thing every day to get you closer to your desired goal.
The key word is commit!
People begin to become great when they determine their purpose. In one year’s time you can look back at that paper and not only be astonished at where you are, and what you’ve achieved but you’ll have a great sense of purpose and accomplishment.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)