Life Inspired

It's about YOU

2009-11-09T08:53:00.000-08:00

"If you did not care at all what anyone else thought about you, what would you do differently or change in your life?" - Brian Tracy

So, how would you change? What would you do, or NOT do?

Good questions. Spend some time coming up with your good answers. :)

Thrive!

2009-11-02T13:20:00.000-08:00

1. "It doesn't matter what you did, it only matters what you do." - anonymous

Know that you have the choice to change - no matter what you have done in the past you can change. Your future holds whatever you want it to - start creating it the way you want it NOW.

2. "If you really want to be happy, nobody can stop you." - Mary Tricky

Know that you choose only for yourself. You do not control anyone other than yourself. Do not rely on others to change your life - it is up to you.

3. "There's always, always, always something to be grateful for." - anonymous

Show gratitude to yourself and others. Showing appreciation and saying thank you to yourself and the people in your life will always "pay off".

4. "It is quite possible to leave your home for a walk in the early morning air and return a different person..." - Mary Chase

Spend more time in nature. Breathe in the clean air, realize what an amazing world you live in and experience an attitude adjustment every time. Whether it's the beach, the mountains, the woods or just your backyard - get out there!

5. "Surround yourself with people who lift you up, rather than pull you down." - Linda Giles.

It is always easier to do something if you have support. Look around at the people who are influencing your mood, choices, and LIFE every day. Are they complaining, gossiping, being negative? Make an effort to spend time with those who are full of positive energy, happiness and joy - these are the thrivers!

Meaning...

2009-10-15T06:52:00.001-07:00

"The meaning of life is to give life meaning." - Ken Hudgins

See what can be...

2009-10-12T11:44:00.000-07:00

“Most people see what is, and never see what can be.” - Albert Einstein

Successful people see “what can be”. They do not get stuck in what today looks like or what their current situation is. We have all heard the stories of downtrodden people with everything working against them who manage to turn their lives around.

What do they have that you don’t? Nothing.

You have everything you need to be successful in any area of your life that you want to be. The only thing you need to do is DECIDE that you are going to accomplish it. You can’t just decide once. It takes a daily, sometimes hourly, decision to continue moving in the direction you want to go.

“Happy are those who dream dreams and are ready to do whatever it takes to make them come true.” – Leon Suenens

The only thing that can stop you from getting what you want, is deciding to give up. If you keep deciding it’s worth it, if you keep deciding what it will take to get there, if you keep deciding to take one more step – you will move from “what is” to “what can be”.

“Your success depends mainly upon what you think of yourself and whether you believe in yourself.” – William Boetcker

It is time. Time to decide what you really want. Live every day moving toward what you want. Don’t stay stuck living a life you’ve settled for. You are worth more than that.

This week, let’s decide and then do.

“You miss 100% of the shots you never take.” – Wayne Gretzky

Positivity

2009-10-08T12:34:00.000-07:00

I am reading Dr. Barbara Fredrickson's book Positivity and I highly recommend it.

I feel like I know a lot about the subject and I am learning something on every page. Good stuff!

“We need positivity, the complex web of…positive emotions, now more than ever. Not just to sugarcoat bitter news or distract us from gloom. We need positivity because we're different people when we're under its influence.

Pleasant emotions like hope, inspiration, joy, and well-earned pride literally open us. As the blinders of negativity fall away, we take in more of what surrounds us. We see both the forest and the trees. We appreciate the oneness that binds us instead of the barriers that divide us.”

You are always making a difference

2009-10-06T12:30:00.001-07:00

The minute you walk out the door in the morning you are making a difference. The way you treat the environment, other people, yourself...

Every thought, feeling and action you have leads to a reality. Are you creating the reality you want?

One of our biggest needs in life is to feel purpose. Making a difference in the world is a purpose and you have opportunities every minute of every day to do that.

The smallest thing to you can be gigantic for someone else.

Be the best you and make an amazing difference. It's a great way to live.

Goal Setting Tips

2009-10-04T17:14:00.000-07:00

The key to not letting life just happen to you is to set goals. Working toward goals will also make you happier. "Goals fulfill the greatest need of human beings—a sense of meaning and purpose in life," says Brian Tracy.

To get yourself going, follow Tracy’s goal-setting tips:
1. Write your goals down on a set of 3-by-5 cards to carry with you wherever you go.
2. Always thinking of the next specific action step you can take toward your goals.
3. Review your goal list frequently.
4. Visualize your goals achieved continuously.
5. Do something every day toward your goals. The most essential factor is persistence.

Realize you have unlimited potential, Tracy says. "You are completely responsible for everything you are today, for everything you think, say and do, and for everything you become from this moment forward."

Play to win

2009-09-23T13:02:00.000-07:00

Play to win, don't play not to lose.

Tell yourself what you DO want, not what you don't want.

If you say, I want to quit smoking. You are stuck in the act of quitting and smoking. Who wants to "quit" forever? Or I want to stop being depressed. What are you focused on? Depression.

Think about what you DO want and create affirmations to make true:

I breathe clean, fresh air into my lungs. I have stamina to walk and run and breathe easily. I am healthy and happy.

I am optimistic and feeling better every day.

Keep what you say positive. What you are moving towards not away from. It makes a difference!

Could you, would you, when?

2009-09-21T13:21:00.000-07:00

A participant in one of my classes years ago shared a great question. Her friend, in any situation where a certain outcome was desired, would ask herself, "Could I, would I, when? Could I, would I, when?"

The first part - could I? Well, in most situations the answer would be yes. Yes, you could, you are capable, if it's something you want to do.

The next part - would I? Okay, I could do that, but would I do it? Again, if you want to do it, then you would do it. The last part - when?

All righty then...I could do it, I would do it, but WHEN. If not NOW then when? This can allow us to realize that there is no time like the present. Next time you are contemplating something you'd like to do, ask yourself, "Could I, would I, when?" and then get started!

"How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives." - Annie Dillard

How are YOU spending your days? Would you, could you, when?

Shine

2009-09-16T09:03:00.000-07:00

Meditate.
Live purely. Be quiet.
Do your work with mastery.
Like the moon, come out from behind the clouds!
Shine.

- Buddha

Joyful indiviuals have a lot in common...

2009-09-14T09:00:00.000-07:00

Cheryl Saban, Ph.D., in her book What Is Your Self-Worth, shares that studies show joyful people are generally:

- comfortable with who they are
- devoted to friends and family and they nurture those relationships
- optimistic about the future
- grateful for what they have
- kind and helpful
- health conscious
- committed to lifelong goals
- resilient
- secure in their ability to effect changes in their lives

Want more joy? Which of these areas can you work on? What steps will you take today?

You can be a joyful person, right now.

You can do it!

2009-09-10T18:58:00.001-07:00

"If you think you are too small to be effective, you have never been in the dark with a mosquito." - Betty Reese

Happy September!

2009-09-01T13:42:00.000-07:00

It is a new month and a great one for renewed resolve. I love September, it's back to school and back to goals month for me.

There are four months left in 2009. What do you want to accomplish by Dec. 31st, 2009 in the areas of...

Your body:
Your mind:
Your spirit:
Your family:
Your community:
Your life!

When you set goals you are so much more likely to actually DO them. So set some goals and feel the renewed resolve that comes with September.

Happy goal setting, happy goal getting!

To try or not to try - what do you have to lose?

2009-08-24T17:15:00.000-07:00

"I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can't accept not trying." - Michael Jordan

In my mind there is almost no one as accomplished and well rounded as Michael Jordan. His view is that there is failure. Some people believe that something that may be viewed as a failure is truly an opportunity to learn. Either way, there are some things we are going to be great at and some things we're not.

So, what do you have to lose? Not that much, really. So, go ahead, give it your best shot and see where you end up. You're in the drivers seat!

Knowledge is power

2009-08-21T11:01:00.000-07:00

"An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest." - Benjamin Franklin

What was the last new thing you learned or did? So often we get into a pattern of being that leaves no room for new adventures and learning.

Make the time and do it! It is an amazing thing for your body, mind and spirit to move, think and feel in a new, different way.

A friend of mine just went skydiving for the first time and listening to him talk about the experience was like watching him re-experience it. Intense, fun and energizing!

What's your next adventure going to be?

What do you stand for?

2009-08-19T10:27:00.000-07:00

"We all have different desires and needs, but if we don't discover what we want from ourselves and what we stand for, we will live passively and unfulfilled." - Bill Watterson

I love this quote but to turn it around and make it a little more positive and proactive: figure out what you want from yourself and what you stand for to live a fulfilled life.

Good questions make for a good life, so ask yourself:
what do you want from yourself?
what do you stand for?

On to a fulfilled life...!

Lots of people doing the Good Deed Challenge

2009-08-18T15:37:00.000-07:00

The response to the Good Deed Challenge was pretty amazing. Lots of people are doing a good deed a day and I am excited to being doing them along with all of you. Yesterday on a walk with the dogs I picked up garbage all the way home. Amazing what some people throw out of their cars or drop on the side of the road. I have started feeding the fawns and deer in our back yard the cores from my apple every day. Yesterday when I was getting a decaf coffee for myself I got a treat for eveyrone else waiting in the car. They were very thankful. At the gym this morning I was washing my hands and face and cleaned off the counter and the two sinks. It took 30 seconds and looked so much nicer.

Every day there are so many little good deeds you can do - and there are some big ones. Like volunteering at my children's high school. Tonight I am going to a parents meeting and after a year and a half of saying I am going to volunteer, my good deed for the day will be going to the meeting and volunteering!

Health Update

2009-08-17T12:27:00.000-07:00

How's your health? Mine is on the mend. It's been almost 2 months since I decided to allow mine to heal. Ever notice that the first four letters of health are heal? I decided to cut out caffeine, alcohol, artificial sweeteners, high fat and high sugar foods along with the dairy free/gluten free life I was already living. Talk about a challenge! I have been pretty "faithful" on all counts. There have been a few alcoholic drinks and one large diet coke (which kept me up all night) but I am feeling less and less of a "need" for those things.

I do crave the energy boosts I used to get with caffeine and sugar, am learning to live a little more evenly. It takes some getting used to. But I do think it has all been worth it.

My good deed for me: body, mind and soul.

What's your good deed for YOU? Stay tuned for more about the Good Deed Challenge.

Good deed challenge

2009-08-12T20:08:00.000-07:00

"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around." - Leo Buscaglia

Between last Thanksgiving and New Years, I did a good deed every day. Some took a lot of time, like getting the lost dog home, some took seconds, putting money into someone else's meter that had expired. Some were free and some cost money. Some days I had to really look hard for a good deed, other days they presented themselves clearly. Some I received lots of thanks for, some were done anonymously.

The one thing every good deed had in common was that it made me feel good. I love to help people. I love to be friendly. I love to feel a sense of purpose. Good deeds fulfilled all three of these.

A few weeks ago in a class, I decided to start doing one good deed a day again. I did it for about 8 days and stopped. I am starting again. I will do one good deed a day until Halloween (seems like as good a date as any...) that's 82 good deeds.

Research has shown over and over that two things bring people true happiness: being grateful and helping others.

Let's do both this week! Keep me posted on your progress.

Be who you WANT to be.

Good deeds

2009-08-10T16:49:00.000-07:00

"Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for a kindness." - Seneca

And I would add that animals need kindness as well.

Be kind, be kind, be kind! They win, you win, the world wins. Woo Hoo.

Today is my son's 16th birthday, today I'll make my good deed about him. :)

Learn, learn, learn and REMEMBER :)

2009-08-04T09:50:00.000-07:00

"The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you." - B.B. King

But you can take it away from yourself if you forget what you've learned. Make sure to cement the learning in somehow. Write it, speak it, think it, share it...get it into your long term memory so you learn it once and for all.

What do you have control over?

2009-08-03T11:54:00.000-07:00

"When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves." - Victor Frankl

Truly the only thing we can change is ourselves. The only thing we have control over is ourselves. It's not complicated - you control the person sitting in your seat and that's it.

SO...if you are accepting, loving and grateful - there you are. If you are impatient, envious and frustrated - THERE you are. No matter what life serves you up, you get to control how you respond, react and deal with it. That doesn't mean that any negative feelings are bad, that means that when we are sad, know that we chose to be there. And we don't need to get stuck there.

At a networking breakfast last week I asked everyone at my table to share an important life lesson they had learned. One of my favorite people said that she had learned: "Wherever you go, there you are."

Where are YOU?

Love your soul

2009-07-31T12:25:00.000-07:00

"Nurture your dreams, Discover your passion, Embrace your visions, Free your spirit, Share your love, Love your soul." - Vicki Virk

Love this quote, especially the last part...Love your soul.

How do you do that?

It's so important. There is no wrong. Figure out what way works for YOU!

Three magic positive emotions

2009-07-27T13:19:00.000-07:00

Three magic positive emotions are empathy, serenity, and especially gratitude.

When was the last time you felt these?
What can you do to foster these emotions?
How can you practice feeling these?

Why are they so important? They lead to HAPPINESS!

Here's to a HAPPY WEEK.

On the road

2009-07-22T11:44:00.000-07:00

We are off to Pullman, Washington, home of Washington State University. Have not been back since I graduated 20 years ago. Oh my goodness, 20 years ago, is it possible? Yes, yes it is.

Starting to take our son, who will be a junior in high school this year, to visit colleges he may be interested in attending. Another shocker. He was in elementary school like yesterday!

So, we're hitting the road, the four humans and two dogs. Our first "road trip" since we left Hawaii. It will be a family adventure.

Especially the eating and drinking part. No gluten for the other three people, no dairy, caffeine, sugar, alcohol for me...takes a little bit of the fun and spontanaeity (how do you spell that?) out of it. I used to be able to spell anything.

Oh, time passes, things change. The only thing we can count on for sure!

Old habits die hard

2009-07-20T19:05:00.000-07:00

Well, I have discovered that caffeine free diet coke and carob covered peanuts are not making me feel good. It is called addiction switching and that's what my body wants - a new addiction. What fills the place of things I have been "using" for decades as a treat, solace, a break...? I'm figuring that out, one day at a time.

Funny story, I never go through the drive through, but last week we were in a hurry and Olivia needed to eat. She wanted Burger King, so we drive on through, part of me thinking that she will be in the back seat drinking her drink and I won't even be able to see it and be tempted. We pull up to the window to pay and the gal there says that she accidentally did an extra diet pepsi, would we want it for free? Are you kidding me? Seriously? Then as I am about to say no, my husband says, sure!

Okay, so now right next to me, my husband has a large FREE diet pepsi. In all the years I drank diet soda no one ever gave me a free one at a drive through. Oh, the irony. Then my sweet husband offers me a sip and I decline. He and Olivia are so proud of me.

Bottom line, I am healing my body. There are twists and turns, but on day 18 things are going pretty darn well. And I am putting the carob peanuts away!

It's my day to win some and learn some.

When the willpower falters

2009-07-15T21:43:00.000-07:00

I really really want a diet pepsi or some cookies or some french fries...for some reason today has been more challenging. Day 13, I think. I'm losing track, which must be a good sign. Hopefully, each week will get easier and easier. Scratch that, every week WILL get easier. This is worth it, for my body, my health and for my life.

True change doesn't happen overnight. I've said it a million times and I believe it. Change that happens overnight can be "undone" overnight. I am truly changing.

I have willpower and WANTpower and I am doing this.

My next step

2009-07-13T16:52:00.001-07:00

So, my next step is deciding to live without: alcohol, caffeine, soda, chocolate, high fat/fatty foods and high sugar foods. That's on top of the dairy I gave up 3 months ago to get rid of my headaches and migraines. What's left? LOTS of good stuff. Granted it took me more than a week to get to this viewpoint. The first seven days of no "get up and go" coffee and no "wind down and relax" happy hour that would include some sort of chocolatey treat was pretty horrid. Felt like the flu with a bad attitude.

Feeling much, much better and "even" going into day 12. Still feeling a twinge when I see someone holding a cup from Starbucks or some other wonderful coffee place. And wanting a soda or a chocolate treat isn't going to go away soon. I've been on diet soda as long as I can remember - seriously since infancy. Had a few times I've given it up but I've never given up coffee or chocolate or french fries or cookies. This is all new.

But now there is a reason. And usually that's all we need, is a really good reason. My thyroid, hormones and adrenals seem to not want to work anymore and the stress I am adding with my choices of drinking and eating are not helping AT ALL.

So, no my world is full of: fruits, vegetables, chicken, steak, salmon, pasta, rice, potatoes, almonds, oatmeal, more fruits and vegetables...it's all good.

Stay posted...

What's the next step...

2009-07-07T16:38:00.000-07:00

"Wisdom consists not so much in knowing what to do in the ultimate as knowing what to do next."- Herbert Hoover

Oh, one step at a time. It's been said many, many times and is still so true: for our bodies our minds and our souls. Just focus on the next step.

So, what is the next positive step you will take for your:

Body:
Mind:
Spirit:

Take them now, what are you waiting for?

Today's the day!

2009-07-06T19:20:00.000-07:00

Usually there is something special about every day - one little thing that makes it different or good. Today is a BIG day for me. My two children have been at "Grandparents Camp" for two weeks in Hawaii and it is the longest we have ever been apart. I went through many different stages: sad, lonely, excited to have the house to ourselves, relishing not having to take care of anyone, missing them, back to sad, lonely and around again. Not sure what my husband (their dad) went through, but I know he is excited they are coming home.

Funny how our emotions work and how individual they are. Today the emotion is all good: anticipation, excitement and gratitude to my parents for taking such good care of my babies (yes, even though they are 13 and 15 they are STILL my babies).

And with that - we are off to the airport! YAY!!!!

Have a fantastic week! I know I will. Oh, and look for that special thing every day - it's there.

Independence Day

2009-07-03T14:05:00.000-07:00

Ahhh, independence day. Independence is an important thing to almost everyone. From when we are toddlers and want to do everything ourselves, teenagers when we know everything and can do everything for ourselves (we think) and when we are much much older and needing some assistance, yet still want to do it all for ourselves.

I'm sure there are different reasons for our need for independence, but they are surely not all positive.

So, when someone offers you help or advice or support, instead of just saying: "No, thanks" or blocking it out. Be open. Don't cut your nose off to spite your face. You can always be independent again later. Now might be a good time to grasp the hand reaching out and say: "thanks, I needed that".

Stay young - no matter what your age

2009-07-01T09:50:00.000-07:00

What is youth? Energy, vitality, zest, strength...

What makes you feel strong and confident and vital?

The top three answers I hear over and over:

Being in nature.
Being active: walking, swimming, biking...just moving your body.
Taking care of yourself, nurturing your body, mind and spirit.

How many of these things have you done this week? Youth is available to YOU. Take it - today!

Energy

2009-06-30T13:45:00.000-07:00

Energy, there are only two kinds: Positive and Negative.

Create the kind you want!

Energy - Body
What are your healthy sources of body energy?
What are your unhealthy sources of body energy?

Energy - Mind
What thoughts make you feel peaceful, happy, accepting?
What thoughts make you feel angry, sad, frustrated, stuck?

Energy - Spirit
What lifts your spirits?
What dampens your spirits?

Limit the sources of negative energy in your life and practice all the positive ones every day. Your energy is who you are and what you do. It is worth it to make it positive!

Are you feeding your Big Hunger?

2009-06-29T13:32:00.000-07:00

What are you truly hungry for? In Africa, they differentiate between the Big Hunger and the Little Hunger. The Little Hunger is your stomach. It can be fed and satisfied with food. The Big Hunger can only be fed with things you can't necessarily touch and you definitely can't buy. A hunger for happiness, connection and acceptance are things only you can feed yourself.

So, what are you really hungry for and how are you going to go about feeding it?

Awareness is the first step - action is the next.

Feed your Big Hunger this week. You'll be so glad you did!

Have a terrific day every day

2009-06-23T12:03:00.000-07:00

Ed Foreman is the only person in 100 years to be elected to the U.S. Congress from two states—New Mexico and Texas. He’s had enormous success as an entrepreneur, and for more than a quarter century, he has been helping people to have better lives.

Here are some of his principles for having a terrific day every day:

• "Life comes to you every day and says, Here’s the menu for the day. You can either have a terrible day or a terrific day. And you get to choose the side of the menu you are going to take."
• Put something positive in your mind when you first wake up. "When you first awaken, you’re at the alpha level of your subconscious mind, which is the maximum brain energy learning level. And whatever you put into your mind during those first few minutes begins the programming of your day."
• Take a walk in the morning to watch the world wake up. "Observe the beauty in nature around you, smell the freshness in the air, begin to appreciate and give thanks for the many blessings you enjoy."
• If you are thinking about unhappiness or adversity, change the channel. "I tell people to think about what you’re thinking about. And if you’re not thinking good thoughts, then change the channel to what you want to have happen."

Live Your Priorities

2009-06-17T17:01:00.000-07:00

It is not enough to be busy; so are the ants. The question is: What are we busy about? - Henry David Thoreau

1. Eat a Frog
There’s an old saying to the effect that if you wake up in the morning and eat a live frog, you can go through the day knowing that the worst thing that can possibly happen to you that day has already passed. In other words, the day can only get better!

Popularized in Brian Tracy’s book Eat That Frog!, the idea here is that you tackle the biggest, hardest, and least appealing task first thing every day, so you can move through the rest of the day knowing that the worst has already passed.

2. Move Big Rocks
Maybe you’re not a procrastinator so much as a fiddler, someone who fills her or his time fussing over little tasks. You’re busy busy busy all the time, but somehow, nothing important ever seems to get done.

You need the wisdom of the pickle jar. Take a pickle jar and fill it up with sand. Now try to put a handful of rocks in there. You can’t, right? There’s no room.
If it’s important to put the rocks in the jar, you’ve got to put the rocks in first. Fill the jar with rocks, now try pouring in some pebbles. See how they roll in and fill up the available space? Now throw in a couple handfuls of gravel. Again, it slides right into the cracks. Finally, pour in some sand.

For the metaphorically impaired, the pickle jar is all the time you have in a day. You can fill it up with meaningless little busy-work tasks, leaving no room for the big stuff, or you can do the big stuff first, then the smaller stuff, and finally fill in the spare moments with the useless stuff.

To put it into practice, sit down tonight before you go to bed and write down the three most important tasks you have to get done tomorrow. Don’t try to fit everything you need, or think you need, to do, just the three most important ones.
In the morning, take out your list and attack the first “Big Rock”.

3. Covey Quadrants
If you just can’t relax unless you absolutely know you’re working on the most important thing you could be working on at every instant, Stephen Covey’s quadrant system might be for you. Covey suggests you divide a piece of paper into four sections, drawing a line across and a line from top to bottom. Into each of those quadrants, you put your tasks according to whether they are:
I. Important and Urgent
II. Important and Not Urgent
III. Not Important but Urgent
IV. Not Important and Not Urgent
Quadrant I: crises, impending deadlines, other work that needs to be done now or terrible things will happen.
Quadrant II: tasks that are important with plenty of time to really get into them and do the best possible job.
Quadrant III: phone calls, interruptions, meetings…
Quadrant IV: busy work, shooting the breeze, and other time wasters.

In the end, setting priorities is an exercise in self-knowledge - figure out what works for YOU!

How many people with your name live in the U.S.?

2009-06-16T11:46:00.000-07:00

There are 254 Linda Giles's in the United States! How many of YOU are there?

HowManyOfMe.com

There is
1
person with the name Barack Obama in the U.S.A.

How many have your name?

Be in the Moment - Wherever You Are

2009-06-15T12:31:00.000-07:00

This is it! This moment is your life. You are either living it or not. Being in the moment can be one of the most challenging tasks of our day. The world appears to be moving at an ever quickening pace and our challenge is to keep up.

This past weekend, we took some family visiting from New Zealand up to Orcas Island, off the coast of Seattle, where my husband and I met. Things move at a different pace there. A slower pace. It was lovely. And pretty darn easy to get used to.

There were two young boys playing violins at the ferry landing entertaining all those sitting on the grass and at picnic tables. There was really only one thing to do after you walked through the few gift shops: wait for the ferry. Normally, sitting and really listening to the violin would not have been easy for me. But I found myself swaying a little bit and being very in the moment of the music. It was so pleasant - every moment of it.

The challenge: to bring moments (lots of them) into the world I spend most of my time in. Be in the moment, each one is a little gift. You can accept that gift or not - up to YOU.

Happy Friday

2009-06-12T07:16:00.000-07:00

"Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life!" - Omar Khayyam

And extra happy because it's Friday. The energy on Friday is usually just wonderful. Everyone seems a litte happier, a little brighter.

As you move into the weekend, remember to take care of YOU. Spend some time doing things that fill you up and allow you to give away the overflow. If we give away everything we have without taking the time to do the things that "feed" us, we are walking around empty. Not a nice way to live.

Some people spend the majority of their lives tapped out. It takes practice to put yourself on the list of to-do's and actually make it happen.

Please practice. The weekends are the perfect time to make the space and time for you. It will be so worth it!

Positive Affirmations

2009-06-11T19:09:00.000-07:00

What do you affirm to yourself everyday? "I am so stressed." or "The economy is a mess." or "I am exhausted."??? You believe everything you affirm to yourself or tell yourself.

Every time you think a negative thing why don't you replace it with two positive things. So, if you affirm, "I hate my job." find two positive things about your job to replace that statement with. Even if it's "I'm getting closer and closer to my dream job every day." or how about, "I am blessed to have a job." "I like working with..." or "This job allows me to pay my bills."?

So, for every negative affirmation, come up with two positive ones.

It WILL make a difference in how you feel about YOU and your life, promise!

What are your goals?

2009-06-08T14:14:00.000-07:00

"Your goals are the road maps that guide you and show you what is possible for your life." - Les Brown

A Harvard Business School study found:
83% of the population does not have clearly defined goals.
14% have goals, but they are not written down.
ONLY 3% of the population has goals that are written down.

The 3% that did have goals written down were earning an astounding 10 times that of the 83% group that doesn’t even have goals.

Similar studies have shown that individuals with written goals also tend to have better health and happier marriages than those without goals.

Success is almost inevitable when a goal becomes an inner commitment. Researchers agree that there is nothing more important than writing it down. Don’t just think it – INK IT!

So, what are you waiting for? Write down those clearly defined goals!

Friday, Friday

2009-06-05T16:36:00.000-07:00

So what are you going to do with your weekend? It's pretty amazing when you think that we only get 52 a year. They ARE kind of precious.

If you had to list your top 3 favorite things to do on a weekend, what would they be?

Mine would be:
1. sleep in (anyone who knows me knows that sleep is my favorite kind of self-care!)
2. a family adventure - like all going to the park or playing tennis or going to the farmer's market. Something all together.
3. read, read, read anything I can get my hands on. I do read on weekdays, but weekends are always reading heavy because I LOVE to read.

So, what are yours?

WARNING - read but don't laugh...

2009-06-04T16:19:00.000-07:00

I hate it when people forward bogus warnings...but this one is real, and it's important. So please send this warning to everyone on your e-mail list.

This is the time of year to think of ticks once again.

If someone comes to your front door saying they are checking for ticks due to the warm weather and asks you to take your clothes off and dance around with your arms up, DO NOT DO IT!! THIS IS A SCAM!!

They only want to see you naked.

I wish I'd gotten this yesterday. I feel so stupid.

Happy June

2009-06-02T13:00:00.000-07:00

Well, June has arrived and with it the halfway mark through 2009. This has been a tough year for a lot of people. It's been a tough year for many businesses, our economy and our country. The good news is we are moving closer and closer to recovery every day. Though it may not seem like it to you, things are already getting better. The learning that can come from this is important stuff. I just saw an SNL skit of a commercial for a book called Don't Buy Stuff You Can't Afford. The "author" was trying to get Steve Martin to understand the concept that first you get the money, then you buy what you want. He wasn't getting it and neither are a lot of us.

Stuff is just stuff, it's not happiness or love or peace. As we move into the summer of 2009 let's all make experiences rather than purchases. Be outside, have adventures, savor the long days and good people in your life.

Happy June, it's going to be a good one!

Friends

2009-06-01T16:20:00.000-07:00

"Be careful the environment that you choose for it will shape you; be careful the friends you choose for you will become like them." - W. Clement Stone (1902-2002)

Wise, wise words. I talk often of how important your environment is. A huge part of your environment are the people in it. I love the way W. Clement Stone puts it so simply, you WILL become like your friends, choose wisely.

We get to choose our friends. Choose the ones that bring out the best in you, support you through thick and thin and accept you unconditionally. We are all growing, changing, imperfect human beings, we deserve the gift of amazing friends.

We can all win

2009-05-28T10:43:00.000-07:00

"Each player must accept the cards that life deals him or her. But once in hand one must decide how to play the cards in order to win the game." - Voltaire

First acceptance. It is what it is. Then on to what you do with what you've accepted. I really believe that we can all be winners. To me the goal is figuring out how to not make everyone else a loser. Life can be a win/win situation.

One of the things I know for sure is that you always get what you give. Give kindness, get kindness. Give support, get support. Give money, get money.

What are you giving? Whatever it is, you're going to get it back. Make it a win/win not a lose/lose.

Staying motivated

2009-05-27T10:57:00.000-07:00

So, how do you do it? Sustaining motivation can be one of the trickiest feats there is. I should know. I started a business to motivate and inspire people because I needed it. You know what they say, you teach what you need to learn.

To me motivation means you are moved to action. So acting and then continuing to act, that is the quest!

For me, motivation is easily captured with positive energy from other people. That's why I love speaking, teaching and coaching groups. It motivates me! But as a sole proprietor I work alone...

Reading is also a big one for me. Quotes, stories, reading almost anything can motivate me.

Pictures or visuals, like a vision board, a card a friend sent me, my kids...

Moving my body - whether it's taking the dogs for a walk or going for a run - great motivating energy!

So, for me: people, words, pictures and movement...what about you?

It's your future - think it positive

2009-05-26T16:32:00.000-07:00

It's your future - think it positive OR negative. Your choice. You have 300 - 1,000 words a minute going through your head - that's a lot of words. How many of those words are positive and how many are negative? When was the last time you paid attention?

How often do you say something negative about yourself or your life?
Like: “I am so bad at this.”
“I am never going to achieve my goal.”
“I am so broke.”
“I just can’t do it.”

Positive phrases that will move you forward:
“I am doing the best I can.”
“Today is a new day.”
“I believe in me.”
“I have so many gifts to share.”
“When I make a mistake, I learn from it.”

What positive future can you think up today?

Health is GOOD

2009-05-25T19:07:00.000-07:00

Just coming out of a fog after getting food poisoning (or some bug) on Friday. I spent from 3:00am until 7:00am Saturday morning in the bathroom or laying on the bathroom floor and then finally went to bed to stay. And stay I did for Saturday, Sunday and some of today, Monday. Wow, I was sick and it was terrible. As I regain my health, it feels SO good.

I kept telling myself while I was wanting to die, "This too shall pass. This too shall pass." Now the migraine is gone, the nausea is subsiding, bathroom trips are happening at a "normal" rate and I actually want to eat something.

It always happens, life goes on, things get better, but the ride can be pretty wild.

So hang on, be as positive as you can and KNOW that things are getting better.

Happy Memorial Day.

Three Truths of Success and Happiness

2009-05-22T10:42:00.000-07:00

Did a great talk this morning and shared what I feel are the three truths of being successful and happy. So fun to be able to get people thinking about themselves and their lives! Happy Friday...

Truth #1 – The way you think matters. The way you think about yourself, others and the world.

“The winners in life think constantly in terms of I can, I will, I am.” – Dennis Waitley

“Leaders think and talk about the solutions. Followers think and talk about the problems.” – Brian Tracy

Truth #2 – Connection is key. Connection to yourself, others and the world

“Come home to yourself every day.” – Robin Casarjean

“Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher.” – Oprah

Truth #3 – You have a purpose. You are living your purpose every day...with yourself, others and the world!

“The purpose of our lives is to give birth to the best that is within us.” – Marianne Williamson

“Live with intention…” - Mary Anne Radmacher

Who are you?

2009-05-19T13:06:00.000-07:00

If someone asked you to describe yourself, what would you say?

Your name, your occupation, your roles in life, your emotions, your beliefs...?

Who are you REALLY? There is no right or wrong answer.

Think about it - and then ask yourself if that's who you WANT to be. Because if it's not, you can CHANGE. So maybe the better question is who do you want to be?

Be that today - starting right now and let me know how it goes. I look forward to hearing from the amazing you!

Life is good and so are you.

DIfferent year - same problem?

2009-05-18T10:48:00.001-07:00

"The measure of success is not whether you have a tough problem to deal with, but whether it is the same problem you had last year." - John Foster Dulles

Saw this quote a few months ago and had an instant a-ha. For years I have been talking about people setting the same New Year's Resolutions and then not making them happen and this quote put that same concept in a more succinct way. It's about carrying the same problem from one year to the next to the next. Let's put it down now. Decide it is not serving you and move toward something that does serve you.

If you are in debt - move towards abundance.
If you are overweight - move towards better health.
If you are stressed - move towards peace.

Leave the problem behind and MOVE toward what you do want. One step at a time TOWARD what you do want. Start right now.

THIS IS IT!

Take one small step every day

2009-05-16T17:06:00.000-07:00

Did you know that sharks have to keep moving forward to live? We need to keep moving forward in order to get closer to our goal of breaking out of our old, unwanted habits.

Studies show that those who don't feel like they are taking steps toward their goals are five times more likely to give up and three times less likely to feel satisfied with their lives.

One small step every day will allow you to feel that forward motion. Writing in a journal, spending time with yourself, appreciating your body for all the wonderful things it does for you, talking to someone who understands what you're going through, enjoying a healthy meal and stopping at hara hachi bu, having a good cry...the list goes on and on.

I just read another interesting study that showed one of the biggest reasons people give up on anything is they feel they are not "in control". I would hazard a guess that is why most diets don't work. We don't feel in control of what we are doing. If you want to do a "diet" use the parts of it that work for you and get rid of the rest.

YOU are in control. Eat what YOU want, when YOU are hungry. Savor the food, let it nourish you and then you will stop easily when you feel satisfied.

For too long we have listened to others tell us what is right for us. Deep inside we know what is right for us - we have to go there to find it.

We need to discover what the "hunger of the situation" is. Do we need food, do we need love, do we need solitude, do we need sleep...?

One step at a time we will discover what works for us and what doesn't.

Believe that you are doing the best you can with what you have – and you “have” more every day.

Ever have a hard day?

2009-05-12T10:23:00.000-07:00

Have you ever had a hard day? I'm pretty sure the answer is yes, but I don't want to assume. I know for sure that I've had hard days. And they're not over. Life brings them when it's time for them to show up.

I read a wonderful way of looking at a long string of hard days as being a "winter" in your life. A time that may not feel productive or successful but there's actually a lot more going on than meets the eye. They do seem inevitable, winter comes every year, acceptance of that fact would be good. So, what's the best way to respond when they hit?

Well, there is no "wrong" way to do it, but a pretty good way to deal would probably be to acknowledge how you're feeling, accept it (you ARE feeling that way), and then decide what the best course of action is. Talking to someone, writing in a journal, getting outside and breathing some fresh air, reading something inspiring or interesting, just sitting with yourself...the list of positive actions goes on and on.

For a moment I would like to share some things that will NOT help: denying how you are feeling, beating yourself up for the way you are feeling, drinking alcohol to feel differently, spending money to feel differently, driving too fast, yelling at soemone else...again the list goes on and on.

A good question to ask yourself when you are deciding what action to take is: which one of the actions I am considering will I be proud of tomorrow, so proud that I would happily share it with anyone I meet?

Decide wisely. If it's already a hard day, don't make it any harder.

Move toward what you DO want

2009-05-11T15:07:00.000-07:00

Why is it so much easier to know what we don't want? Usually because we are right in the middle of it. I don't want this economy to be in such bad shape. I don't want to do this job. I don't want to weigh this. I don't want to feel so stressed, exhausted, negative.

Sound familiar? The problem with being clear about what we don't want means that we can end up focusing on exactly that: what we don't want.

Here's what I know. You get what you focus on. So, it behooves you to figure out what you do want and focus on that. Not only focus on it, make it strong and positive and sure.

I am so grateful that the economy is getting better and better every day. As my financial adviser says: it's correcting. YAY! I am so happy that I am able to work and have a job of my choice. (You ARE choosing your job every day - whether you realize it or not.) I am becoming healthier and healthier every day. I am feeling full of energy. I am peaceful and positive.

When you tell yourself something over and over and over, it becomes true to you. Tell yourself what you DO want.

Make it an amazing week.

Do you have a book in you?

2009-05-06T16:38:00.000-07:00

It's amazing how many people in this world have a book inside of them. Rumbling around in their conscious and unconscious mind - always there somehow. I met with a man today who wants to finally get his book out of his head and onto paper. He's had the title for 15 years, but there's nothing on paper.

Writing a book is not easy, but, truly anyone can do it. Just like any other goal you may have. Not easy, but so possible.

If there is something you've been thinking about, talking about, perhaps writing about but haven't done anything - NOW IS THE TIME.

What's stopping you? Right. Get out of your own way.

HOW did you do that?

2009-05-04T16:55:00.000-07:00

One of the most common questions highly successful people get asked: HOW did you do that? How did you lose all that weight? How did you make all that money? How did you create such an amazing family?

How, how, how? No matter what the achievement, it usually comes down to one thing: perseverance. That's the secret - stick with it, keep adjusting your strategy if necessary and know that it is possible.

Think about how you did anything and you will realize, you can do anything, it's all about patience, practice and a positive attitude.

Make it a great week.

This is it!

Anything is possible with the right support!

2009-05-02T11:39:00.000-07:00

Olympic superstar, Michael Phelps–the swimmer who won an unprecedented eight gold medals last year was in San Francisco at a conference recently.

Michael talked about a lot of things, but the story that stood out was about his coach. Michael said that after swimming six events and winning gold medals in every one, he just didn't think he had anything left. Now, that would certainly have been no disgrace. After all, six gold medals is nothing to sneeze at right?

Michael's coach was NOT buying it. No way! He was clear about what Michael had said he wanted going into those Olympics—eight gold medals. AND his coach was committed to the same thing, so he wasn't willing to let him just "get by" with six. Michael said it was his coach who insisted that Michael COULD do what he said he wanted to do, and he was there to support Michael in achieving his dreams. And so he did.

It made me realize how much formal and informal coaches have contributed to my success and happiness in life. Over the last 30 years, they've helped me go beyond my own limitations to live the life I know is possible in my heart.

I've had formal and informal coaches who've helped me accomplish my career goals. But, more importantly, I've had those coaches who've kept me going for what I've really wanted most: Happiness. They're the ones who've helped me raise my happiness set-point.

It is possible - I am proof!

Communication is about connection

2009-05-01T19:16:00.000-07:00

Who did you communicate with today and how did it go? Were you able to get the person you were communicating with to understand exactly what you meant? Did you understand exactly what the other person was saying? Communication is a two way experience. Some speaking and lots of listening. I love the saying about the fact that we have two ears and one mouth for a reason.

Listen, listen, listen to others, to yourself, to your body. True communication is about connection. So connect today!

Lessons learned AGAIN

2009-04-29T11:52:00.000-07:00

I have learned a few lessons this week - AGAIN. I have said it before, that I am a slow learner and that is definitely true when it comes to other people. I always want to give others the benefit of the doubt. Another chance, another shot, another try... I'm not ready to let go of that part of me. I would like to - no, let's say I am going to - limit the number of chances I give someone. What's reasonable? One is absolutely necessary, three may be too many. I am going to go with two. Two chances. Okay, that's a commitment to myself.

Second lesson is ALL ABOUT ME. Me not speaking my truth. Going along with the group and or the leader. Not speaking up when there is something not sitting right with me. What usually happens is I hold it all in and then one day I "wake up" and can't figure out how everything got to be where it is. Then the decision is usually bigger and harder to finally speak my truth, but I do it anyways. If I spoke the little truths along the way I would avoid this. Second commitment - speak my truth -let go of fear and do it.

To recap (for myself) two chances for others and speak my truth for me. Lessons learned well enough to not have to learn them again.

Happy Monday

2009-04-27T16:16:00.000-07:00

Yes, it's another Monday. Most of my coaching clients are on Mondays and Tuesdays and it always boggles my mind that a whole week has gone by when I get to talk to them or e-mail them again. The experience of time has always been a challenging one for me. As an "all or nothing" person I seem to feel like time is flying or dragging. No in between.

The best way for me to get into a better rhythm with time is to BE PRESENT in as many moments as I can. Not thinking ahead or ruminating on the past. Right here, right now...

Be in this Monday. Be in this moment. Once it's gone we never get it back.

Happy day!

Living my Dream

2009-04-22T19:58:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I started a weekly class called Positive Perspectives. Every week someone wants some motivation, focus and new information they can come and get it.

I feel alive in front of a group, I feel like I am living my purpose when I give people new tools to succeed and I am passionate about supporting people in making their dreams come true.

So, this new class is ME living my dream! I am doing exactly what I want to do.

Are you living your dream? What is your dream?

Dare to...

2009-04-20T19:32:00.000-07:00

Dare to dream
Dare to step out of the box
Dare to question what’s wrong
Dare to wonder
Dare to hope
Dare to be different
Dare to make a point
Dare to express yourself
Dare to discover
Dare to contribute
Dare to tell the truth
Dare to learn new things
Dare to love
Dare to change
Dare to look for good in people
Dare to speak up
Dare to be the best you can
Dare to live life to the fullest

Do you dare? I do! Happy day, make it a great one.

What's your REAL AGE?

2009-04-19T18:53:00.000-07:00

I have always been in favor of being as educated as you can about your health and how you can improve it. We need to be our own advocate when it comes to taking care of ourselves. In the end, it is up to you to make the choices that will lead to creating better health or leading to disease.

I love the website www.RealAge.com. There is a free test you can take to find out your "real age" and then get tips on how to get healthier. When I first sat down to take the test I didn't have enough info with me (like specific vitamins I take and how much) but it was easy to go back in and adjust answers, then you get a new "real age". The best part of the website for me is getting thier Tips of the Week e-mail that links to the website with more info.

The information is balanced, well researched and very helpful. The tone is all supportive vs guilt inducing. Today I learned that Chia seeds pack the most antioxidants of any food - go figure!

Knowledge is potential - and once you use it, it's power. More power to you. :)

Lazy Saturday

2009-04-18T21:52:00.000-07:00

What a nice day. A lazy day with no appointments, no deadlines, no stress. How often does a day like that come along? Not often.

After so many days of going, doing and going some more, it's tough to just relax and "be" for a day. I am finally feeling recovered from vacation and now there's the weekend to recover even more!

No matter what kind of day it is, making sure you live your priorities is key. My top three priorities are:

Family
Self
Helping others live Life Inspired

Family? Check! Spent some nice time with my family today. Cooking, eating, talking, watching a little tv. Was going to play some scrabble - but decided to do that tomorrow.

Self? Took the dogs on a great walk in the woods. Did some deep breathing of the crisp, clean Spring air. Saw a sweet fawn and picked up litter on the way home. Took a nap. The whole day felt like a treat for me. Check!

Helping others live Life Inspired? Doing this blog, e-mailed quite a few clients, did some work on a Wellness Fair I am helping to plan, organized a booth for my Soroptomist group (a woman's group that works on behalf of women and girls' causes) to sell tickets to our Mother's Day Brunch. Check!

Did you live your priorities today?

Quality Questions

2009-04-14T21:39:00.000-07:00

Choices, choices, choices...before you choose, ask a quality question:

Will this move me forward or hold me back?
Will this choice bring out the best in me?
What would the best me do?
Will I feel proud tomorrow about making this choice?

Stop, Think, Choose wisely.

It's SO worth it.

Vacation's over - what worked? what didn't?

2009-04-13T20:12:00.000-07:00

I really believe, like Tony Robbins, that quality questions lead to a quality life. Every experience is a chance for learning. Learning what worked (and you want to recreate or have happen again) or what didn't (and you don't want it to happen again)
So, after my vacation, these are the things that worked:
running every morning along the ocean
playing scrabble with my mom, brother and son
having two of my nephews sleep in our hotel room one night
reading a good book
spending quality time with my parents
spending quality time with my two brothers
spending quality time with my two sister in laws
spending quality time with my three nephews
napping one afternoon
going down the big water slide at the resort

things that didn't work:
eating a very greasy hamburger and fries - yuck, yuck, yuck
even worse, the disgusting burger cost $10
going to sleep early one night and not playing games with the family
having a beer at 10:30am - the bar not being open should have been a sign (got the beer from the hotel room)

Okay, so next vacation: less greasy food, less beer at 10:30am (that should be easy to change) and mandatory game nights. I can always sleep after the vacation.

So, what worked for you this week? What didn't? Knowledge is power!

Tune in for more quality questions tomorrow.

Vacation continued

2009-04-07T00:48:00.000-07:00

Okay - it's been three days in Hawaii and I am pretty wiped out. So far I am going to need a vacation from the vacation. That will have to be okay. So much to do, so many clients to see, friends to say hi to, the time just goes...

After this entry I will not blog again until Monday, April 13th. I will rest and relax and not think about working. At all.

My priorities on this trip: spend face time with people I wouldn't normally be able to (clients, friends...), spend time with family, take care of ME and relax. So far it is all happening except for the relaxing. So, I need to cut myself off from this computer so there is no pull to work.

Success is about asking yourself, is this working? Every day. What's working, what's not? Then adjusting accordingly. I'm adjusting!

So I'll talk with you next Monday. Have a wonderful weekend - wow that's weird to say on a Tuesday. :)

It's all good.

Off to Hawaii

2009-04-03T07:45:00.000-07:00

Well, we're leaving the snow behind and heading back to Hawaii for a vacation. A vacation that involves some work and lots of play. My goal is to not need a vacation from my vacation. I am going to soak up the sun, swim in the ocean and spend time with loved ones. Life is good.

When was the last time you took a vacation? We Americans can be pretty lousy at doing that. My husband, Kelly is from New Zealand and when he first came to this country 19 years ago he was shocked at the lack of "holidays" people took. No one or two weeks a couple times a year where it was all about relaxing. The longer he lives here the less he is in that mindset. He's come over to the dark side...vacation/bad...work/good.

I want to make them both good - vacation and work. I have scheduled all my business at the beginning of the trip and then five days of NO WORK.

I can do it - and so can you. Take a vacation - even if it's in your own home on a weekend where you allow yourself to do nothing. Woo Hoo...Happy Friday.

April Fool's Day

2009-04-01T13:09:00.000-07:00

Woke up to snow today in Bellingham. SNOW on April 1st. It was no April Fool's joke - it was really snowing and coming down pretty hard. Every April Fool's Day I think about my grandmother, Eulalia Sedgwick. We called her Tutu, which is Hawaiian for grandma. Tutu was a prankster and she loved April Fool's Day. She was so creative and sometimes ingenious about the pranks she pulled. She was so convincing and then she would let loose with a big laugh and the prack was exposed.

Her laugh was a great one. Ever notice how individual laughs are so different? Well, Tutu's laugh wasn't quiet and it was comforting to hear. Sometimes she would laugh until she had to wipe tears out of her eyes.

Tutu lived on her own until she passed away at 94. I'm pretty sure that her laughter had a lot to do with that. She was amazing to the end, laughing all the way.

Find something to laugh about today. It's therapy for body, mind and soul!

What do you believe?

2009-03-31T20:58:00.000-07:00

Do you believe you are amazing individual? Do you believe you have unbelievable gifts? Do you believe you can achieve anything you want?

Does it matter? YES IT DOES!!!

What you believe is what is true for you. What do you want to be true for you? Believe that.

Practice believing what you want to believe.
Practice, practice, practice...
Believe, believe, believe...

Not "could" or "should" but "can"

2009-03-30T20:45:00.000-07:00

Kelly Giles, my sweet husband, writes a weekly newsletter and I especially loved it this:

We have all heard someone say “Imagine where I would be now if I had done such and such years ago” or “I should have done that when I had the time.” I mention this because of an e-mail I received that quoted a Chinese proverb:

"The best time to plant a tree was always 20 years ago. The second best time is always today."

It is interesting to me how nature provides us with parallels to our lives. Taking action on the healthy life of your dreams, no matter what that looks like, is better done sooner than later. However, if we haven’t started, today is the best time. This of course begs the question, “Why haven’t we started?” This is where we cut ourselves a little slack and acknowledge that we are not perfect and there may be good reasons why we are where we are now. Whatever they are, that was yesterday or last week or last year. The only thing stopping you from taking action is a single decision, and that decision is to do it! For us to create that healthy lifestyle we must believe that we can have it, we will have it, and that we deserve it. Having our mind in the right place is the first step on the journey to creating whatever we want. Where the mind goes, the body will follow and that is true for all the actions we need to take to create and live a healthy, productive life. Don’t lament over what “could” or “should” have been but what “can” be.

The time is right to plant that seed of health, to feed it and nurture it and reap all the benefits.

If you'd like to receive his e-mail every week, let him at kelly@lifeinspired.com

Happy planting!

Rejuvenate your body, mind and spirit...

2009-03-27T19:19:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday! It's another weekend - one of only 52 we get every year. Saturday and Sunday are days for some fun, some play and some rest: doing what you LOVE to do. So what do you love to do for fun and play? Sports? Games? Funny Movies? Hiking? The choices are endless. Make sure you do at least one thing this weekend -that would qualify as fun and play.

Now onto rest. How do you love to rest? Curled up with a good book? Sleeping in a hammock? Laying on the couch? Pick your favorite way to rest and make sure to do that this weekend.

Play and fun rejuvenates your spirit and rest rejuventates your body and mind.

So rejuvenate your body, mind and spirit this weekend - you deserve it!

This is it - is your life working?

2009-03-25T13:33:00.000-07:00

I want you to love your life. Whether you are sick or healthy, rich or poor, happy or sad...to be able to step back and say, "Yeah, this is the life I want to live."

Every day, ask yourself:
What worked for me today? What went well? What brought out the best in me? What made me happy to be alive?
AND
What didn't work for me today? What made me feel "wrong" or "bad"? What brought out the worst in me?

Then, listen to your answers. Don't keep doing the same things over and over if they aren't working. And for heaven's sake, if something is working, KEEP doing it! If you want positive change in your life, you've got to change something!

What's working in your life? What's not?

Keep climbing

2009-03-24T20:39:00.000-07:00

Written by Andy Rooney:

I've learned.... That when you're in love, it shows.
I've learned.... That just one person saying to me, 'You've made my day!' makes my day.
I've learned.... That being kind is more important than being right.
I've learned.... That life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.
I've learned... That under everyone's hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.
I've learned.... That to ignore the facts does not change the facts.
I've learned... That life is tough, but I'm tougher.
I've learned.... That when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.
I've learned.... That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it.

I'm pretty sure that you've learned some of these things as well - and much, much more.

Keep climbing, keep learning, and keep living every day - they only come around once.

Monday, Monday...

2009-03-23T10:39:00.001-07:00

Why does Monday have such a bad rap? You rarely hear anyone say they love Mondays, but I have to admit that most of the time I do. After the "chaos" of the weekend with so many different things happening, the schedule being different pretty much every single time, the "sameness" and order of a Monday can be soothing.

I love just diving into work 100%. The kids are in school, Kelly is busy doing his thing and I get to do mine! Notice I said GET to. Not have to or should, but get to. Would I rather be hiking in the woods or snuggled up with a good book? Sometimes. But my purpose in life is to inspire positive change and the work I get to do allows me to live that purpose.

I like routine and schedule and Monday always brings a return to that. There is a positive way to look at everything - choose that way. You get to!

Postive Perceptions

2009-03-21T19:41:00.000-07:00

There is a positive perception about everything and a negative one. The one you choose to focus on is a very important choice. For people who feel negative, are pessimistic and skeptical, their choice is to look at the negative perception of the situation. For people who are hopeful and optimistic and happy, their choice is to look at the positive perception of the situation. Same situation - different perception.

The economy:
Negative perception - people messed up, it is getting worse, I don't have enough, everyone is afraid, this is a disaster...
Positive perception - I can work to make my life better, it is getting better, I have enough, fear doesn't help anything, I have hope, this is an opportunity...

We are all living in the same economy. Your experience of it depends on your perception. It is reality to you.

I was driving the other day behind a really slow car (read: going the speed limit) and I was fuming because I was late to a meeting. As I was trying to be patient, we came upon a police car hidden on the side of the road with his radar pointed right at us. Okay - thank you car going the speed limit that was making me crazy before that probably just saved me a speeding ticket. It was good that the car was going slow - my perception changed in a heartbeat!

Yours can too. Make it a game to see if you can take something that you would normally feel negative about make it a positive thing. It is possible...it takes time and practice but it is so worth it!!!!

Life is a highway

2009-03-20T21:51:00.000-07:00

Not sure why, but I have that song in my head..."Life is a highway..." Since the last entry was Life is a Rollercoaster I thought it would be fitting. It is 10pm at night and I have been happily working since 9am. What a great day. I LOVE being able to do what I am passionate about all day long. Talking to people, listening to people, teaching people, planning to support people, motivating people.

So where does the highway come in? Well, just like I have made my journey on my highway of life look exactly like I want it to, you can too. No two highways are exactly alike and no highway is "wrong", it's just your highway.

Mine has been pretty eventful that's for sure, but I wouldn't trade it for the world.

I love my life and I want you to love yours too!

Have an amazing weekend.

Life is a rollercoaster

2009-03-18T21:19:00.000-07:00

Today like most days I went through a million feelings and emotions. Exhausted after a fitful night of sleep. An amazing latte savored on my couch. Energized being on a great conference call. Excited to read some e-mails with nice testimonials about my coaching. New friendship blooming at a coffee "date". Intensity talking to my son's high school counselor about getting him into all honors classes next year or an early college entry program. Distress at a committee meeting having to be the tie breaker on a vote of how the community association I live in will move forward on our new voting procedure - keep the hand count method or move to machines. We're moving to machines. Coming home being upset and telling my husband what happened and how hard it was. Getting a reality check when he told me Natasha Richardson passed away (we were talking about her skiing accident yesterday and that she was in the hospital). Her husband Liam Neeson is one of our favorite actors.

Wow - and the day's not over yet. Now I'm sitting with my daughter and husband watching American Idol and I'm crying (of course) at someone having to go home...

I get to be home, with the people I love, and the puppies I love and I am so grateful. Life has ups and downs, twists and turns and we GET to be on the ride.

Enjoy it when you can, learn what there is to learn and love as much as you can.

Learn to dance in the rain

2009-03-17T14:36:00.000-07:00

"Life's not about waiting for the storms to pass...It's about learning to dance in the rain." ~ Vivian Greene

Are you hunkered down, laying low, waiting for the economy to get better? I am optimistic that things are going to get better, but I don't have a crystal ball and I don't know for sure. No one knows the future for sure. Right now things can be scary but they can also be great.

What if you decided to appreciate where you are right now? What if you decided there are some positive things to be gained - right now. You get to choose how you view your life and your situation. What do you choose? Are you waiting or dancing?

Now is the time to dance, because the longer you just wait, the easier it is to keep waiting...and waiting. The perfect time to dance will never come. Dance while things are imperfect and things will get better pretty darn fast.

So start dancing, now is the time.

Happiness is Happening

2009-03-16T18:12:00.000-07:00

My class on Saturday was wonderful. Amazing women coming together to figure out what they really wanted and the how they were going to make it happen. So much inspiration and hope and caring in one room is just the way I like to spend a Saturday afternoon. Many many wise things were said by those there, but here is one of my favorites I wanted to share: "Happiness is happening." as in right now in this moment...WHAT IF we said that to ourselves quietly throughout every day?

Happiness right now is the smell of homemade pizza dough cooking, getting ready to be topped with wonderful things - especially cheese. My two puppies sleeping next to my while I work (even though the one on my left keeps putting his chin on the keyboard and typing) they do love me. My husband running to the store to grab a last minute item for dinner (yes, it's alcohol:)). Reading a card from one of my sweet friends in Hawaii. Having a space heater at my feet. Along with the two pair of thick socks I'm wearing...I am NOT in Hawaii anymore and my feet will testify to that.

So, what happiness is happening for you right now?

Changing for Good

2009-03-13T21:22:00.000-07:00

I'm getting ready to teach a Life Inspired class tomorrow I call "Changing for Good". I think it is one of the most important classes I teach. So many people make a change for the good and then over time, or very quickly, the change is undone. I know you know someone who has quit smoking and then started again or lost a lot of weight and then gained it back.

So, I am passionate about helping people learn some of the science of change so they can use that knowledge to their advantage. I believe that knowledge is only potential. When you USE that knowledge, then it is power.

A big part of sustaining change, or changing for good is staying motivated through the different stages of change. Since you are the expert on you then you know what motivates you and what doesn't. I encourage you to make a list of things that motivate you. Then when you are losing your motivation to keep practicing your positive change, you can go to the list and GET motivated. Two things that ALWAYS motivate me are going for a run and reading something that makes me laugh and/or learn.

Changing for good is possible - so possible - know that!

Stay motivated! Happy Friday..

Sanook Story

2009-03-12T13:02:00.000-07:00

Last week I gave a talk in Bellingham to a new group called Positive Atmosphere. The leader of the group Dan O'Donnell shared a great Sanook story from his travels in Thailand. He was traveling through a busy street and the driver of his transportation hit the driver in front of them. Dan immediately imagined a terrible scene ensuing amid the already chaotic surroundings. To his surprise, the driver in front of them looked at the ding caused by the collision and looked up and smiled. Then he started to laugh. The driver of Dan's vehicle started to laugh as well. Dan was laughing, thinking, can you imagine if this was New York?

That's the perfect Sanook example. You decide how to react to every situation you are in. No one was hurt, no real damage done, this situation is funny...

Resolve to look for JOY. Visit http://www.lifeinspired.com/ for other stories that inspire positive change.

Sanook

2009-03-11T19:14:00.000-07:00

I love the Thai concept of Sanook. It means: a resolve to look for joy. Joy truly is everywhere, but you need to look for it to see it. Otherwise you may miss it all.

Today I found some joy while having coffee with Melissa Borghorst - an author, speaker and coach. It was great to sit with her and talk about being able to do what we love. She is, like me, an optimistic realist. Being with someone who is so in line with what you believe and live is like a breath of fresh air! Like breathing joy...

Her website is: www.dreamlistmedia.com and it is full of joy.

Resolve to look for JOY and spend time with people that naturally lead you there.

What if...

2009-03-10T13:32:00.000-07:00

It's so interesting how often we imagine things in the future NOT going well. What if this is a disaster? What if nobody cares? What if I can't do it?

Yesterday I heard about the "What if...GOOD game". Where you say "what if" and follow it with good, great and amazing outcomes! Like, what if 500 people read my Blog today and get inspired to play the What if...GOOD game and then what if all those people share it with their friends and loved ones and then what if they all feel better about themselves and their lives and the world and what if they all go out and do random acts of kindness that affect people all over the world because they feel so great?!

The bottom line is, playing it the negative way only leads to more negative. So play it the positive way, the good way. Do it right now!

What if...

Let it snow

2009-03-09T09:53:00.001-07:00

Wow - it is March 9th and it is snowing so hard outside it's unbelievable. But, believe it I must, because that is the reality of the situation. Funny how much time we spend wishing things were different. The number of people who say over and over, "I just wish it was..."or "If only..." is staggering.

It is what it is. Accept it. It's exhausting to fight reality. It's empowering to accept and then decide what now.

So, what now?

"Of course there is no formula for success except perhaps an unconditional acceptance of life and what it brings." - Arthur Rubinstein

Today is a new day

2009-03-07T19:34:00.000-08:00

Every moment you experience a brand new moment; one that has never been lived before and holds limitless possibilities. I love the thought of every morning being like a blank page. Brand new, clean slate, ready to be created.

"In a very real sense, we are the authors of our own lives." – Mandy Aftel

What will you write today? It's all up to you - create away.

How do you FEEL?

2009-03-05T16:43:00.000-08:00

One of the sure fire ways for me to shift how I feel is to read some quotes. Words are so powerful to me. I have so many favorite quotes, the list on my computer is 38 pages long and growing. I did a great talk last night and was able to chat with some people afterwards about the ultimate question: "What do you want?" and every answer came around to a way to feel: at peace, joyful, stable, secure, happy...

Here is a great quote that addresses that. Please know that anything you want to feel can NOT be purchased with money or acquired in a store. Feelings are experiences you give yourself.

"Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude." - Denis Waitley

What feeling do you want to have today?

Staying positive NOW

2009-03-04T13:24:00.000-08:00

Almost every day I have someone ask me how I can STILL be optmistic and positive with everything going on in the world. Well, it would be easy to fall in with those who are fearful, scared and just sure that it's all going to get worse. I work at NOT doing that. Energy is contagious. When you walk into a room and everyone is happy, you can feel it and it has an effect on you. When you walk into a room and someone is furious, you can feel it and it has an effect on you. You know the saying, you could cut the tension with a knife. That's how palpable energy is. So, I work at having positive, hopeful, optimistic energy around me. When I was at the gym this morning and people were watching CNN and talking about the state of the stock market and housing prices I had on my ipod listening to upbeat happy music. I do live in the real world. On my terms. What good is it going to do to get stressed and start coming from desperation and lack? For me - none!

I choose to put out and take in the positive every chance I can. What do you choose?

Take Care of YOU!

2009-03-02T22:08:00.000-08:00

You and you alone are responsible for taking care of YOU. There are many people in this world waiting for someone to rescue them or tell them the secret of life. The truth is you are the only one that can know for yourself and there is only one way to know and that is to try and try again.

I had a workshop this weekend and told the participants, “You have 2 options: you can give up or you can keep trying.” Someone asked 5 minutes later – “What were those options again?” I repeated: “You can give up or you can keep trying.”

It is so simple – you stop or you go, you say yes or you say no, you give up or you keep trying. Even if you say maybe, until you make a decision – yes or no – nothing will probably happen. And who wants to live in “maybe”?

Do you want to grow a life you love, become a person you are proud of? Only you can make that happen. Decide and take action towards who you want to be and where you want to be – TODAY!

Here are 5 quotes to help:

“The winners in life think constantly in terms of I can, I will, I am.”
- Dennis Waitley

Write an “I will” statement about something you want to accomplish this week.

2. “The greatest mistake a man can make is to be afraid to make one.” – Albert Hubbard

A mistake has no power over you – the next choice is yours – give up or keep trying?

3. “If you chase two rabbits, both will escape.” - anonymous

FOCUS!

4. “Action may not always bring happiness, but there is no happiness with out action” – Benjamin Disraeli

CREATE your happiness, today.

5. “The road to wisdom? Well it’s plain and simple to express: err and err and err again but less and less and less.” – Piet Hein
It IS going to be a great week!

Happy New Inspired Year

2009-01-05T21:51:00.000-08:00

It is 2009! Wow, the years seem to fly sometimes. Last year was quite tumultuous for our family, moving from Hawaii to Bellingham, Washington. We sold everything we owned and left. Bought a new house, two new cars, enrolled the kids in new schools in the middle of the school year, filled the house with new furniture and it was exhausting. You would think getting to buy a new one of everything would be fun. In the middle of a recipe realizing that you don't have one thing after another: measuring cups, big mixing bowl, the right pan, an ingredient or two, going to the store to purchase them and then when it's time to come out of the oven realizing you don't have any oven mitts or a cooling rack or anything appropriate to cut it with is not so fun. Day after day of figuring out what we were missing got old - really fast!

So, now that we are pretty settled it is going to be a very different kind of year. I spend a lot of time coming up with a theme every year and a mantra to remind myself of the theme. I am not sure what it is going to be for 2009 - I have some ideas - I'll keep you posted. The one thing I know for sure is that it is going to be an inspired year. And a good one.

What's your theme for the year? I'll stay tuned. Linda

Baby, it's cold IN here!

2008-12-17T12:01:00.001-08:00

Well, the heat in our house has not been working for the past 2 days and it is snowing like crazy and about 25 degrees outside. Makes me appreciate the fact that I know the heat will come back on and I don't have to worry too much about it. Hard times can make us all sad and/or angry or they can make us count our blessings. I choose to count my blessings. It's like when you're sick and then you get healthy - WOW do you appreciate your health.

Don't take anything for granted. Be happy today - no matter what - there is joy to be found.

Get Merry

2008-12-12T17:44:00.000-08:00

It is getting to be that time of year where some people are merry and some aren't. The holidays have always been a happy time for me, so it surprises me when someone comments that they don't like this time of year. Yes, it's busy and yes, it can be stressful, if you choose. Do you want to enjoy the holiday season? I do. So I think thoughts that are positive, I look for the joy and wonder of it and surround myself with others who feel the same.

This can be the happiest time of year - from Thanksgiving to New Years. Being thankful. Bringing closure to 2008: what was great, what did you learn...? And then welcoming 2009: a clean slate, a brand new year - so much hope and excitement.

Make this a wonderful time of year for YOU. No one can make it great for you - it's all up to you. As I anticipate our first Christmas in our new home in Bellingham, I am expecting it to amazing, and you know what, it will be.

Merry, merry!

Build your life on gratitude

2008-12-03T12:12:00.000-08:00

What are you grateful for? No matter what is going on in the world outside of you, there are so many things to be grateful for. When you look for what's RIGHT in your life and that's where your focus is, then things get even better. When you look for what's wrong and that's what you focus on, things only gets worse.

So, do you want things to get better or worse?

Make a list of the things you are grateful for and keep adding to it. Start now.

“You become what you think about most of the time.” - Brian Tracy

be grateful,
Linda

Happy Inspired Thanksgiving!

2008-11-27T12:04:00.000-08:00

Have a gratitude filled day!

Live Life Inspired

2008-11-03T12:33:00.000-08:00

Happy day! No matter what day you are reading this, it can be a great day for you. Choose to know that you are blessed and that the more gratitude you show for those blessings, the more you will receive. That is that way life works - building, building on whatever you focus on. That can be a good thing and a not so good thing - depending on what you are focusing on.

Decide to focus on the good things. Know that things are going to get better. Get that you are an amazing individual put here for a wonderful purpose and you are living it every day.

Step up and BE the best YOU you can be. It truly is a choice every day. What's your choice today?