Spilling the beans: A look inside The Wisdom Project 2010

Once upon a time, in a land called the United States, there was a woman who sat comfortably in her comfortable home in her comfortable chair, holding her comfortable coffee cup in hand, looking out to the familiar scene in her backyard reflecting on her comfortable life, content with the beautiful blessings all around her in the life she had created.  With a smile flowing from ear to ear, a little voice exploded into her head at the same level as a roaring freight train running at full throttle… “What are you doing with the gifts and strengths you have been given? Are you living your potential?  Is this really what life is all about….for YOU?

This final week of the calendar year 2010 was a perfect time to look back to where life was prior to The Wisdom Project and just how much this international venture has impacted my “comfortable” life.

The Wisdom Project was birthed March 2010 in Sydney, Australia. In 10 months….

• I have been connecting, learning, growing, giving, reading, writing, speaking, inspiring and encouraging…
• All the while still being a mom, chef, taxi driver, calendar manager, housekeeper, friend and daughter.
• Each day I Tweet, Facebook, blog, text, Skype, email, and/or talk on the phone…
• I laugh, cry, get interrupted unexpectedly, and show both frustration and joy…
• And I receive the most amazing messages of love and support from The Wisdom Tribe.
• Life still happens and it sometimes requires “inked events” on the calendar to get postponed.
• My vision gets bigger each day.
• Although I should be thrilled that the team is working diligently to edit these phenomenal stories for the first book, my DNA continues to rev its engine, trying to remember that quality takes time.
• The people I have connected with are some of the most amazing people in the world…truly.
• The stories from the contributors have touched my heart like nothing else…
• And in 2011, I will put these pieces of artwork into a book and share them with the world.
• The power in the potential of this project gives me chills (at times) when thinking of its enormity.
• I've learned that getting outside once a day is absolutely necessary, even with deadlines…and
• When people say social media is killing relationships, I laugh, and stand tall knowing the rich relationships I have made through it are for forever.
• 2010 has revealed that a whirlpool bath, a glass of wine and an iPod are fantastic rewards for powering through some days.
• Not every day is easy and fulfilling…but this journey is worth the fight.
• I will continue to smile, grow, connect, give and pour all my heart and soul into The Wisdom Project because I believe that together we can ignite inspiration around the globe to encourage people to take a step forward in life.

CONNECT – SHARE – INSPIRE…HAPPY NEW YEAR

HOW ABOUT YOU?

How has your life been improved in 2010? What does 2011 hold for you??

A very Merry Christmas to each of you! We are so grateful for the beauty you add to our life. May 2011 be your best year ever, filled with magic moments and spectacular achievements. Remember to love each person where they are at. Give a smile to each person you meet. Make your days count. Life may not be perfect but it is still a gift. 

The BEattitudes for the Season

BE Grateful

BE Loving

BE Wise

BE Kind

BE Patient

BE Forgiving

BE Happy

BE YOU

We love you. 

The Wisdom of our Deepest Fear....

This widely acclaimed poem is actually not a poem at all, but an excerpt from A Return To Love, a book by motivational speaker and author Marianne Williamson. The passage has such inspirational power that it is now a stand-alone mantra for a generation of exceptional individuals who wish to motivate themselves and others to live up to their fullest potential.

Our Deepest Fear 

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant,
gorgeous, handsome, talented and fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.

Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking
so that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine, as children do.

We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us.
It is not just in some; it is in everyone.

And, as we let our own light shine, we consciously give
other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our fear,
our presence automatically liberates others.

How about you... How has your biggest fear defined your self image?

What do you do when life throws dirt at you?

...Once there was a donkey that fell in a very large hole.  The farmer did not know what to do.  He simply decided the best thing was to bury the donkey.  He began to shovel dirt into the hole.  At first the donkey panicked – he was being buried alive!  How could the farmer do such a cruel thing to him?

The dirt was getting very heavy on the donkeys back so he shook the dirt off.  The farmer continued to shovel the dirt into the hole and the donkey shook it off – a shovel of dirt, a shake off by the donkey, another shovel, another shake.  Soon the dirt began to pile up under the donkeys feet.  He realized that each time he shook the dirt off his back, the mound beneath him got taller and if he chose to step up onto the mound, he got closer to the top of the hole.  The farmer shoveled the dirt, the donkey shook it off and stepped up…higher and higher the donkey went.  Shovel of dirt, shake it off, step up…shovel of dirt, shake it off, step up.  Shovel, shake, step up – shovel, shake, step up.  Finally the donkey was standing so tall he could walk freely and easily out of the very hole he feared would bury him alive.

Life can throw dirt at us.  We can feel buried by challenges and trials and feel like giving up.  But we can also use the dirt that is thrown at us, to build character and rise up.  Sooner or later dirt will be thrown at you, but what you do with it is up to you.  You can use it to build your future or cover your grave.

What do you do when life throws dirt at you?  Do you shake it off and step up on it?  Remember, with each step up, you are closer to the top.  Wisdom is the view from the hilltop with much dirt under your feet.

Shake it off and step up – Shake it off and step up – Shake it off and step up

Nothing Happens by Accident...

The number of positive, inspirational and motivating books in my house is greater than 500.  (I know because my 12 year old counted them when there was “nothing to do” on holiday break from school.)  Interestingly enough, none of those fabulous masterpieces can be of use to me if I don’t grab the book with my hands, open the book and physically read the words.  The wisdom does not mysteriously float into my brain on its own.  I must take action steps to obtain the teaching.

Nothing Happens by Accident

I love the teachings of Kim Lavine – go-getter, one-of-a-kind, living across “the pond” from me (i.e. = Lake Michigan) Mommy Millionair.  Ms. Lavine shared in a recent blog that the Yiddish word “mac-krae” means:

Nothing Happens by Accident

My very first thought to that statement was ‘How true’.  I’m going to be rather bold here and make a statement that is wrapped in love but comes straight from my heart:  All the desire and passion in our heart to accomplish our goals cannot and will not ever come to fruition while sitting on the sofa.  Having good intentions, a grateful heart and heaps of positive thoughts and words are very useful – quite honestly, they are considered, by most including myself, to be the first step on the staircase to success.  Yet, until we get up off the sofa and start walking, all those good intentions are only, well….good intentions.  The action is missing.  We may be able to see the top of our Success Staircase and believe with all our heart and soul it is obtainable.  YES! That is the right attitude. But how are you going to get there when you are standing on the first step?

Nothing Happens by Accident

What are your goals? What is at the top of your staircase? What would your world look like if you started climbing, step by step, toward your dreams?  …And think on this: How many other people might be inspired to do the same when they see YOU stepping up?

Now it’s YOUR turn…

We want to know…What is YOUR next step on your staircase to your goals and dreams?

What Lens Are You Looking Through??

Autumn is now in full swing and quite evident here in the Midwestern portion of the United States where I live.  A renovation of the landscape is occurring.  The leaves on the trees are changing from emerald to golden amber, burnt orange and fiery crimson and soon they will flutter to the ground when the brisk autumn breeze blows.  Whistles and cheers reverberate through the chilly air at the Friday night school football games and a crackling of the logs in the fire pit mesmerize all who stop to feel its warmth. As a rare exception, this year an over abundance of rain fell in our region recently. Thus, we uncharacteristically have areas of devastating flooding with some major roadways near the many lakes and rivers in our state.

Today I drove some friends to the airport and realized for the first time, the incredible amount of excess water pouring over the banks of a major nearby river.  It was shocking to see only the very tops of twenty and thirty foot trees waving above the rushing water, parks completely immersed no longer visible to the eye, and in one area…the water seemed to continue forever into the horizon.

My route home included crossing a hefty bridge.  That was the moment my eyes were opened to the devastation that will linger for citizens in our area for months to come.  The headline of every news program, for the last week and a half, included stories of the destruction and ruin.  However, this truly was the first time I had witnessed it with my own eyes.  The actual visual changed my perspective completely.  I have been so consumed with the flood of messages, activities and demands of my own small world; I failed to grasp the bigger picture of how people around me could be endangered and hurting from this natural disaster.

"The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes." ~Marcel Proust

What have your eyes been “seeing”?  What “lens” are you looking through?

A friend of mine told me about a miscommunication with a client. He rescheduled a meeting to another time...however the client did not receive the message for some reason. When my friend and his client did connect via mobile, they both agreed to still meet that evening.  Amidst the obstacles, the meeting ensued...the result? An incredible evening with much forward progress in life for both participants. 

Many times in such an event, we find people angry, hostile and bitter about the miscommunication because it inconvenienced them or interrupted their other plans.  We often look at the situation from our own lenses that have not been cleaned for quite some time. We have not taken note as to how many times our own finger prints have touched the lens - how many times we were thinking of our self and the inconvenience which was placed on our own life.

The wisdom I found is that these very finger prints obstruct us from visualizing a clear picture of the beautiful possibilities which could occur.

What have your eyes been “seeing”?  What “lens” are you looking through?

I recently met a lovely woman from London, Tina Andretta, who takes pleasure in devouring positive reading material to learn and grow.  Her most recent book seemed to create an eye-opening experience - almost like putting on a new set of lenses for the first time.  Tina shared, “New eyes are a result of renewed self belief and self image - Going back to the fact that we do not see with our eyes, but with our brains.  ...A few months ago I would have written this comment based on theory only, and now I'm talking from experience.  Since my belief system around who I am and what I'm capable of has changed, the whole world is taking on new form.  My life has totally changed in the last 2 months, and it's ABSOLUTELY because my self-image has DRAMATICALLY improved.”

Tina now sees new possibilities in the world – more beauty around her.  Possibly it is her positive reading material which has cleared her “life lens”. Her new vision is magnificent.

Now it is YOUR turn…
What have your eyes been “seeing”?  What “lens” are you looking through?  We look forward to hearing your experience.

The Wisdom in Living Life Out Loud...

Yesterday the question was asked, “Do you fear success or failure”?  In her blog, my amazing friend Carol Roth responded with, “Maybe you should fear mediocrity”. Just saying the word ‘mediocrity’ makes me cringe – always has and probably always will. There seems to be something about the way I was created that refuses to accept average.

Back in March of 2010, I began to walk down a whole new path when a business colleague and I gave birth to an idea called The Wisdom Project.  After spending a week in the amazing city of Sydney, Australia, I began collecting stories of Wisdom from women all around the globe for my first book.  With each new day, each new friend I made and each new story I received, a passion began to reveal itself inside me. Today I share this deep passion that is festering inside; it is the heartfelt desire to encourage and inspire people to “Take a step forward in life instead of a step backward…or worse yet…remain idle”.

Idleness – accepting average – living in mediocrity…not for me.  It pains me to type those words.  Life is too short to live in mediocrity.  Don't you think life is meant to be lived out loud, to the fullest?

I believe each person was born with a unique DNA. I believe it is time that each of us begin to embrace our own special DNA live life to the full. Of course that may look a little different to each person; Some will live life out loud with their hair on fire whilst skiing down a mountain at top speed.  Others will host a quaint dinner party with glitz and glam and make the headlines of a spectacular lifestyle magazine. Still others will find their true DNA by giving endless smiles and words of gratitude to every person in the airport to make people wonder if they really ARE up to something!

How about YOU?  How will you use your awesomely gorgeous DNA to live your life out loud and show other that life is too short to live in mediocrity???  Please share your thoughts - We can’t wait to hear YOUR ‘life out loud’ moments!

PS- Thanks Carol Roth for your inspiration and example of living life out loud!

PPS- Thanks Liz Strauss for the amazing Successful Online Blogger award! I value the amazing SOBCon family for how they challenge each other to be more and do more.  It’s an honor!

The Wisdom in Flying...

In America, the month of September usually brings a bit cooler temperatures with the approach of autumn and children return to school after a long summer break. Many hearts begin to reflect and remember with the onset of the 11^th day of September.  As a nation we each remember that day back in 2001 in a different way – each person knows where they were and what they were doing when the tragedy occurred.

Today I spoke with a dear friend who is an airplane pilot. We talked of many changes in the airline industry. Of course not all these changes are the result of September 11^th ; the economy has played its role.  The fact remains that when we enter an airport, the scene has changed.

One thing I have decided to always pack when travelling is my patience.  Some very simple things help me be more patient when I need to fly:

• I arrive earlier than needed to the airport.
• I put a on a smile with EVERYONE I speak to.
• I chose not to react when the other people in line small, loud children or too many bags.
• I pick the shortest line in security, place my belongings on the conveyor belt and when the guy in front of me still beeps after walking through the sensor machine 6 times….I count to 10 and think about the beach.
• I try my best to be the MOST outgoing and pleasant person that airport employee has encountered all week.

Now It’s YOUR turn…

We want to hear your Wisdom. What do YOU pack when flying to a new destination to help your travel experience be amazing??

The Wisdom of Love...

One of the strongest experiences you can have driving in your car, is the day you bring your new born child home from the hospital after giving birth.  The weight of the new responsibility sits firmly on your shoulders.  At each intersection of the drive, you offer one extra glance to the right and to the left before proceeding, giving care to accelerate as smoothly as possible.  The sky looks bluer than you’ve ever seen, the sun feels warmer than you’ve ever felt, the air smells fresher than you can remember and your heart is overflowing with joyful sensations.

It’s undeniable - THIS is LOVE.

The days, weeks and months pass while raising this child, offering a rainbow of emotions from anxiety to zeal.  Your patience is tested and you are asked to make decisions not for yourself but what is best for another.  Many times you awake in the middle of the night, shuffle to this child’s room and find peace within when you see them fast asleep.  The tears well up as you feel their innocence.

It’s undeniable – THIS is LOVE.

As the months fade into years you often find yourself looking back on the beautiful memories of this child that made you laugh and even the ones that made you cry.  The time passes quickly – each day seemingly faster than the one before.  You have poured your heart and soul and breath of life into this child only to wake up one day and realize it was YOU who was given life.

It’s undeniable – THIS is LOVE.

We are called not only to love the children but each and every individual around us.  It matters not if this assignment is easy or difficult – the stem hampered with thorns, still produces a captivating rose.  Isn’t it time we take our eyes off ourselves and truly “see” another? 

It’s undeniable – THIS is LOVE.

 

The Wisdom in Daring to Be More...

"Whatever you do, or dream you can do, begin it! Boldness has genius and power and magic in it." ~Goethe

Today is a new day. Tomorrow is gone.

What can you dare to change and begin today?

A world of thanks to Mari Smith for revealing this extraordinary video. Its beauty and message beg to be pass along. May you allow the Wisdom this video contains, to speak to your heart.

What thoughts, comments, or wisdom would you like to share about Daring to Be More:

The Wisdom in Your Potential...

"There are two great days in a person's life ... the day we are born, and the day we discover why.” ~William Barclay

You ask, “Why what?” Why you were created the way you were created? Why you have the unique DNA that you have? Why you have these dreams in your heart? Why you have this urge inside to unleash the potential and go after your passion?

What is YOUR why? What is your potential?

After pondering a bit on these questions, I thought I would share with you some wisdom I have found. Four steps to begin to find your why…your potential:

1. Define who you are….what do you value most in life?

These could be qualities like openness, honesty, and trustworthiness, or traits like creativity, focus and aptitude. Think of your best friend. What characteristics does he/she display that you value/appreciate?

2. Identify your strengths….what are you really good at doing?

Some people can make the most incredibly attractive scrapbooks of their children’s activities. They just know the right colours, shapes, and tag lines to create a treasured keepsake of memories. Other people are a total wiz on the computer and ‘wow’ me with how quickly they can assess and FIX hardware and software quandaries. Still others have the patience to spend an entire day with 25 first graders on a field trip to the biggest museum in town, and walk away with a smile on their face and a spring in their step.

3. Discover what you know…life has taught you much; you know more than you think.
I have one child who is good at spelling. (The other child…not so much.) It is rather effortless for my youngest to do well on spelling tests and Spelling Bees. She is no National Bee champ or anything like that, but plain and simple, she knows how to spell some fairly difficult words.

4. Acknowledge your uniqueness…there is only one YOU.

The marvelous Liz Strauss says, “Know who you are and where you stand – claim your space.” The amazing Marianne Williamson says, “We can always choose to perceive things differently. You can focus on what's wrong in your life, or you can focus on what's right.”

What is YOUR why? What is your potential?

The legendary speaker Tony Robbins began a new series on television this week called Breakthrough. Watching Tony pour his heart into the featured married couple was inspiring and encouraging. Everyone watching the episode could see the potential of these two people. One of my favorite quotes by Mr. Robbins… “Life is found in the dance between your deepest desire and your greatest fear."

Can you learn to dance with your potential?
If inside, you feel that you were made for more, but are afraid to move, I encourage you to decide today to take that first step into the unknown. Then take another step.

…Step even when you are afraid.
…Step when you are insecure.
…Step when you are safe.
…Step when it’s stormy.
…Step when you don't see what's coming.

Before long, you will find that each step you take weaves together to create a beautiful dance...a dance that is your amazing life…a dance that is uniquely YOU. I look forward to the day when I see you teaching others to dance too.

Now it’s your turn...

What wisdom have you gained in dancing with your potential?

The Wisdom in Change...

As the old saying goes...The fastest way from point A to point B is a straight line. Let me ask you a question. When was the last time in your life you got from point A to point B on a path that was straight, quick and uneventful? Or do your journeys sometimes consist of an intermittent rendezvous in the road ditch, a ‘critter’ or two popping out from nowhere to make you swerve, or do you find yourself meandering through the curves of the path with an occasional stop at the famed ‘look-out’ point???  I thought so. Me too.

Changes will occur on your journey from point A to point B.

Many times I have heard people (myself included) talk about how they started down a new road going after a new point B and suddenly life “got in the way”. They were forced to slow down or take a different route. A significant change had occurred they were not expecting. There are times when I’ve been traveling down a road to my point B, found the strength to keep life events from forcing me off course, but then woke up one day in the ditch alongside of my trusty road which I knew would bring me to the Promised Land. That’s when the voice in our head says “Hey, this isn’t so bad. I can see my path – it is right there next to me. I’ll be fine over here for a bit because it only takes a little hop to get back on track.”

Changes will occur on your journey from point A to point B.

Last week, my kids wanted to play Mario Cart Wii and challenged mom to a race. Of course since I am only a wee bit competitive (Ha Ha!) I agreed to their offer...as I was hungry for a win, even if it meant toasting my kids at Wii. (keeping it real here) The race course they chose had many twists, turns and obstacles. Some of the corners required a very sharp turn. My constant over reaction coupled with inertia sent my car onto the grassy area next to the race track on several occasions. My adorable little Mii (pronounced Me for those who have not had the Wii (We) experience) in my super fast roadster was driving right next to the path, but the grassy area slowed my vehicle to a snail’s pace. The other cars on the track would wiz by Mii. Eventually I found myself in 12th place...out of 12 cars! Who knew that one could drive SO CLOSE to the original path, thinking they were doing JUST FINE only to find they really were not part of the race at all! A slight change in the course (grass in this case) made all the difference. Going from point A to point B included a change in the ground beneath me, which I did not expect.

Changes will occur on your journey from point A to point B.

Me? (or Mii?)

I’d like to share some wisdom I have learned in life. The principle goes something like this: we first need to be A-ware of something then we can B-eware of it. For example, if we are first A-ware that change is constantly happening in our lives, then we can B-eware of how we are dealing with change...are we Reacting or Responding...are we Listening or Talking...are we under control or out of control. The result: Life experience has made me aware that change is a part of my life. Period. Thus, I choose to beware of how I deal with the changes when they happen. The goal (which I will most likely continue to pursue always): become a master of change for my own life.

Now it’s your turn...

What is your relationship with change? How do you deal with the change when you find yourself in the unexpected grassy area next to the path you want to travel? What wisdom have you gained from experiencing changes going from point A to point B? We’d love to hear your wisdom.

The Wisdom in the Road Construction of Life..

Living in the Midwest portion of the United States, we experience four unique seasons. They are commonly referred to as Winter, Winter, Winter and Road Construction. You know you are in the middle of Road Construction season when the interstate traffic is moving quickly and freely and then, without warning, you need to apply the brakes forcefully and come to a screeching halt.

Recently, as I drove across the city, twice I encountered big orange signs reading “Road Work Ahead” and “Detour” - I was already 15 minutes behind schedule – my heart sank. As I began to slow, I realized that the detour was not for the interstate I was driving. Instead, I shared in the pains of heavy traffic because I was driving on the road that was the rerouted destination for the detour folks. Then to add to the mess, just two miles ahead, road work was happening and three lanes of traffic were forced to merge down to two. All this activity forced road users to a snail’s pace. The road construction severely hindered my progress and there was nothing I could do about it.

I would imagine you also have found yourself, crawling along some stretch of highway moving ever so slowly because road work was near. Possibly you have felt the discouragement as you watched the minutes tick by on the clock and realized the situation was out of your control.

This experience illustrates an important life principle we can learn from. When road construction is encountered in your life, the best route is to:

Expect it, Accept it and Move through it to find the open highway.

The reality is that all of us have or will experience some type of road construction in our life. It could be some basic “Road Work Ahead” like when things get really busy at work and we need to put in some extra hours. Usually this “Road Work” is a temporary inconvenience. Other times the fast lane may be closed for a bit requiring us to “Merge”. Watch out for the “Merge” in life as it has a tendency to create indecisiveness – should I do this or should I do that. On occasion we encounter bigger surprises when we are required to take a “Detour” and reroute our course. When unforeseen “Detours” happen in life - they take us along unfamiliar territory. A new road can seem to go on forever and our faith is tested. We may experience thoughts of doubt because we can’t see how or when we will get back on the main road.

The challenge comes when we find ourselves in the construction season being forced deal with it. This is where the “Expect It – Accept It – Move Through It” principle comes in.

• Expect It – The reality is that our roads will deteriorate and need to have maintenance done on them. Just like you and I will find challenges along the way in our life. We just don’t know what the challenge will be or where the detour will take us.
• Accept It – Maintaining the right frame of mind during the road work of life has the potential to alleviate stress and make a tough situation seem easier. Maya Lin said, “To fly, we have to have resistance.”
• Move Through It – Remember Dory from the movie “Finding Nemo”? Does this sound familiar…”Just keep swimming, just keep swimming.” Our kids got the message, how about you? Once we move through the congestion, unfamiliar detour route, and bumpy roads we are sure to find open highway.

So until the next big orange construction sign pops up in your life, remember:

Expect it, Accept it and then Move Through it to find the open highway on the other side.

The Wisdom of Appreciation...

Appreciation:

The recognition of the quality, value, significance or magnitude of people and things

Recognition of the quality or value of things:

Many people picture a brilliant diamond when thinking of something of value. Recently, I met some wonderful people from South Africa who were enamored with my name. They were giddy when telling me of the world renowned Kimberley Mine in Kimberley, North Cape, South Africa and the Argyle Diamond Mine in Kimberley, in the far north-east of Western Australia. With their eyes, they expressed the value they held of these diamond mines. They conveyed a whole new appreciation for my name and shared such love when talking of my potential inside because I was given such a first name. How humbling that a new acquaintance could have that level of appreciation.

Recognition of the significance of people and their feelings:

Last weekend, we traveled a distance to gather for a family wedding. The joy of the occasion was not enough to overlook a fast moving virus which was attacking my youngest child. I had no choice but to go back to the hotel and give her rest. Her fever soared, her stomach pained and she collapsed in bed. She expelled every ounce of food from her frail body. In her weakness she relied fully on me to ‘make it all better’. I sat on the floor, stroking her hair waiting for her to fall asleep. The tears began to softly fall down her cheek; there was something she wanted to say. The words pierced my heart as would any mother who had spent the last 12 years in sheer devotion to her child who had overcome so much sickness. Her lips quivered as she said “Daddy promised to dance with me at the wedding dance.” I knew how much this meant to her and I too began to sob. So many emotions came forward – but the thing that overshadowed all the grief at that point was my appreciation for her sweet sensitive heart. How grateful I was to be learning from an innocent child: how to appreciate the significance of people.

What quality, value, significance or magnitude do you appreciate in people or things?

Today is a new day…may you find appreciation for everyone and everything around you.

 

What Are You Waiting For...

Do you know someone or have you met someone and thought to yourself ‘They have so much potential inside. They really could be doing more with their life.’ The great Nelson Mandela said, “There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living." The truth is, any one of us could look around and find that there are many people ‘playing small’.

In thinking about our inner potential, I will pose a question to you: What if each person decided to go after the one thing that burns them up inside; that one passion they have dreamed about all their life; that one thing that puts a smile on their face; that one thing above all things, which makes them feel free? Here’s my question for you:

What are you waiting for?

Are you waiting for the fear of failing to dissipate? Are you waiting for the insecurities to melt? Are you waiting for all the traffic lights to turn green? The amazing performance coach Kurek Ashley says: “When you work on and build your success muscles every day, you get stronger and more able to achieve your grandest of goals." Finding success in anything in life takes small consistent efforts each day - It’s an every day event.

Here are my personal words of wisdom for you today: I encourage you to take a bit of time to find what it is that you are using for an excuse to hold you back – then go after your passion despite that obstacle you see in your head. When you do, you will find that life has so much waiting for you. Do you realize that there are:

Planes to fly - Mountains to climb - Pictures to take - People to meet - Restaurants to enjoy - Water to sail - Books to write - Canvases to be painted - Cars to drive - Museums to experience - Sunsets to appreciate – Planes to jump out of – Friends to make – Languages to learn – Mountains to ski – Families to love – Children to raise – Music to sing – Dances to dance - Laughter to express and Joy to be felt.

It’s all out there. Find your inner potential...your passion.

What are you waiting for?

____________________________________
P.S. Here’s something new and a simple request from you.


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15 Plus One - Another Day...

Today is a new day which gives us another reason to smile. If you are looking for something to help get the corners of your mouth to turn upward toward the sky, here are more little expressions to help you…15 new thoughts (plus my personal favorite) for another day. Remember, I did swipe these off my coffee cup, but they are still good. :-)


1) Be the first to enter and the last to leave the dance floor.

2) Indulge in chocolate therapy.

3) Plant lots of trees.

4) Spin the globe then pack your bags.

5) Dare to adventure.

6) Marshmallows have no nutritional value, and that’s ok.

7) Only look back if it makes you smile.

8) Step 1: Rake leaves – Step 2: Jump!

9) You’ll only be your current age once.

10) Dance in the rain.

11) Donate blood – you have plenty.

12) Sing out loud.

13) Spend time with your kids; tomorrow they’re a day older.

14) Have a favorite charity.

15) Be the first to apologize.
.

And PLUS ONE (my personal fav)…

Learn to say thank you in ten languages.

15 PLUS ONE...

Some days the clouds may hide the sunshine or we have spent our day focused on computer, leaving us a bit disoriented, cross-eyed or weary.  Today I'm offering some short 'pick-me-up' phrases that can help you refocus. Okay- so I swiped them from my coffee cup, but they are still good. :)

15 PLUS ONE

~Expressions To Help You Smile~

1) Eat when you are hungry – nap when you are tired.

2) Make time for silly.

3) Make today special.

4) Laugh so hard you cry.

5) Follow your heart.

6) Smile first – ask questions later.

7) Dance to your own rhythm.

8) Continue more conversations offline.

9) Listen 1st - Talk 2nd.

10) Learn to dance a jig.

11) Start right now.

12) Thank a teacher.

13) Grow older without ever growing up.

14) Do it for love, not profit.

15) Compliment a stranger.

And PLUS ONE...

(my personal fav)

Be a hero minus the dorky cape.

Take Care of the Troops...

Last week the Get Motivated! business seminar rolled through the city in which I live. The attractive line-up of successful speakers drew me to the event and it did not disappoint. It was an opportunity to be coached by some very dynamic achievers who shared their sensational wisdom on both a professional and personal level.

One speaker that took the stage by storm with his leadership message was General Colin Powell – who after years of distinguished military service, served as both the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under United States President Clinton and Secretary of State for United States President George W. Bush. The crowd expected a point-blank message yet General Powell gave so much more. He showed his courageous leadership through military experiences, but also gave insight to his family. With humor and a huge smile, he shared a story about his grandson encouraging grandpa to learn to text and use Facebook.

We learned of how General Powell interacted with famous dignitaries as well as immigrant hot dog vendors all in the same day – showing us that the role of the leader in an organization is to convey the mission with a passion. He reminded everyone that the best leaders get everyone vibrating with the purpose. When the leader can effectively communicate, with each person on the team, their individual purpose, that is when the organization will succeed. People are looking for leaders who will ‘take care of the troops’. The only thing heard in the arena at this point was the sound of pens and pencils hitting note paper.

General Powell solidified his message of leaders ‘taking care of the troops’ with a rather simplistic example. It seems the power of a small, plain white 3X5 note card may be understated. This legendary soldier-statesman believes that people need to know they are appreciated – no matter what their role on the team may be. He shared an impactful story of how he one day removed an inexpensive note card out of his pocket, wrote a brief note of appreciation and ‘glad you are on the team’ sentiment and placed the card where a quiet unassuming team member, whom the General had little contact with, could find it. After much time had passed, General Powell found himself in this young man’s house for whatever reason. There on the wall, was the 3x5 note card exquisitely framed and delicately mounted.

The words of the General Colin Powell resonated through the arena:

10 seconds of my time and 2 cents from my wallet equaled a $150 framed memory for one young man.

Let people know they are appreciated. Let them know you are glad they are a part of the team. People are looking for leaders who will ‘take care of the troops’.

Hope Will Not Be Extinguished...

It was 40 days ago we stood at the cemetery, April wind blowing through our hair, gathered around the casket of a family member. The heels on my sandals sank into the saturated grass, dowsed with a heavy rain the night before. My teenage daughter and I stood with linked arms supporting each other through our grief and tears. A Lieutenant Colonel of the United States Army in full military uniform stood to attention ready to address the quiet mourners. He removed from his pocket, a single white sheet of paper. With shaking hands and legs and a quiver in his voice, he delivered a passionate and heartfelt story recounting the numerous times he was impacted by the man we were burying. This soldier was not family by blood but by choice – choosing to honor our heroic family member with the title “dad”. This decorated officer, who committed his life to serve a purpose greater than himself, struggled to speak each word, choking back the tears while he stood alone in front of the crowd. For 20 minutes we listened to a courageous leader share nugget after nugget of extraordinary wisdom – he touched the hearts of everyone in attendance.

Sorrow shows up without invitation...but it cannot extinguish hope.

The sorrow was still with us, but we saw a new hope in this soldier’s words. He was evidence of a life that was changed because one man took the time to mentor and share his wisdom with another. We stood taller and felt proud to be part of such a giving family.

Now just 40 days after that unforgettable event, we are mourning the death of the Lieutenant Colonel who was killed during duty in Afghanistan by a suicide bomber.

Sorrow shows up without invitation…but it cannot extinguish hope.

Today our hearts are filled with even deeper sorrow. It seems to take more courage than before to find hope in this horrific circumstance. Twenty-four hours have passed since this news shook my world. I now have begun to rise up and choose to look for the hope – a choice everyone has to make on their own.

Just a few months ago, I began a new venture called The Wisdom Project. I’ve spent all my time and efforts gathering stories of Wisdom, for a book, from women around the world. The foundation of this project lies in the hope that when one person shares their wisdom – another person is strengthened. This is the hope I wish to give to others to encourage and inspire generations. This is the hope I want to pass on.

All this sorrow came into my life without an invitation, but the hope will not be extinguished. It will live on through The Wisdom Project.



For questions about The Wisdom Project go to:
http://www.thewisdomproject.info/

To submit a story, please send an email to:
yourstory@thewisdomproject.info

9 Seconds...That's All We Have...

9 seconds…that’s all we have. Just 9 seconds. I just finished reading a blog from Sally Hogshead ...the average attention span of people today is 9 seconds. That certainly explains a few things!

That explains why the little 4 year old girl in front of me in church was on the chair, off the chair, on the chair and off the chair again – her 9 seconds was over. It explains why my 12 year old daughter was frustrated because she could not focus on her homework anymore at 10 p.m. – her 9 seconds was over. And it explains why I have started and stopped writing this blog post three times – my 9 seconds expired.

Okay, all kidding aside, does that statistic startle anyone? Truthfully, if we think about all the technology that we have at our fingertips today, this statistic makes quite a bit of sense! We live in a microwave society. We want everything now…well…there ARE times when I actually would like somethings done so fast I wish it was done yesterday. (But that is another story) Admit it, we hate to wait. I have said many times, we no longer go find the news and happenings from around the world; they find us. With the internet, that can happen. You know what is really annoying, is when you are holding your laptop on your lap while eating a cracker and the crumbs fall on the mouse pad. That is really annoying…oh wait…where was I? I think my 9 seconds just expired.

See how quickly that can happen? Yes, that was a shameless example to make my point, but it actually did happen, so that is worth something, right?

So now you are asking, how can we change this statistic of a 9 second attention span? Might I suggest that we ask a different question? Since the task of increasing our attention span seems quite daunting, how about if we:

• understand that we live in the Information Age
• realize that technology keeps changing, growing and making us better
• recognize that the speed and efficiency of our media continually increases
• accept the fact that we have an attention span of 9 seconds
• stop fighting it and start working with the statistic

Some ways to work with our reality:

• Realize I may need to prep my kid before church to help her understand that she needs to ‘chill out’ for bit while in church and THEN get to release her energy by playing outside AFTER (or if all else fails, just suck it up as the parent for the time being because they will grow out of this stage)
• Know that my kid may need to do a little homework, take a break and play and then go back and do more homework later
• Accept that I may not finish writing my blog post all in one sitting – life sometimes intervenes and that is okay – especially if it is my family, because I know that I will eventually finish the post

As I leave you to ponder on these thoughts, I want to share a terrific quote I read on Michael Hyatt’s blog (the CEO to Thomas Nelson Publishing) from P. J. O’Rourke on how easy it is to get distracted when you are writing:

“Usually, writers will do anything to avoid writing. For instance, the previous sentence was written at one o’clock this afternoon. It is now a quarter to four. I have spent the past two hours and forty-five minutes sorting my neckties by width, looking up the word “paisley” in three dictionaries, attempting to find the town of that name on The New York Times Atlas of the World map of Scotland, sorting my reference books by width, trying to get the bookcase to stop wobbling by stuffing a matchbook cover under its corner, dialing the telephone number on the matchbook cover to see if I should take computer courses at night, looking at the computer ads in the newspaper and deciding to buy a computer because writing seems to be so difficult on my old Remington, reading an interesting article on sorghum farming in Uruguay that was in the newspaper next to the computer ads, cutting that and other interesting articles out of the newspaper, sorting—by width—all the interesting articles I’ve cut out of newspapers recently, fastening them neatly together with paper clips and making a very attractive paper clip necklace and bracelet set, which I will present to my girlfriend as soon as she comes home from the three-hour low-impact aerobic workout that I made her go to so I could have some time alone to write.”

9 seconds…that’s all we have. Just 9 seconds.

Happy Mother's Day moms...

MOTHERS

Real Mothers don't eat quiche;
They don't have time to make it.

Real Mothers know that their kitchen utensils
Are probably in the sandbox.

Real Mothers often have sticky floors,
Filthy ovens and happy kids.

Real Mothers know that dried play dough
Doesn't come out of carpets.

Real Mothers don't want to know what
The vacuum just sucked up....

Real Mothers sometimes ask 'Why me?'
And get their answer when a little voice says, 'Because I love you best..'

Real Mothers know that a child's growth
Is not measured by height or years or grade...

It is marked by the progression of Mommy to Mom to Mother........
 

Nine Tenths of Education...

"Nine tenths of education is encouragement." ~Anatole France


Dictionary.com states ENCOURAGE is “to inspire with hope or confidence; cheer; brighten”

How good does it feel when someone encourages you? Do you enjoy receiving a compliment? Have you ever gotten that warm fuzzy feeling inside when a friend sent you a cheery note via snail mail instead of a text or email? What about when someone did something nice that you did not expect?

Encouragement has the ability to breathe new life into ones soul. It can sustain hope. It can be a catalyst that pushes a person one step further. It seems that encouraging others can be as simple as lighting a candle and watching how powerfully a single flame can light a dark room.

This week my youngest daughter met her deadline and completed her school Science Fair project – something she had been working on for the last eight weeks. In preparation for the judging, she made some note cards to help her stay on track. The stresses of this event coupled with many nights of homework, sporting activities, singing performances and just an overall busy schedule, left my child over-tired…and it showed. The ‘melt down’ happened during the note card process…at the end of the day. A mental block occurred and it was quite evident.

From my perspective, the emotional outburst seemed to be over something rather trivial. It was at that moment that my own words of wisdom popped into my head:

You never know what someone is going through until you walk a mile in their shoes.

I’ve said this to my kids many times. Now the tables were turned. I do not have the same behavior patterns as my daughter, nor do I remember what it is like to be 12 years old, presenting a science project for three adult judges. The reality is I’m not walking in her shoes right now, so I really don’t know what is going through her head and heart. However, there is one thing that I CAN do:

ENCOURAGE

For this particular scenario, encouragement could be a smile, a hug, a cheery word or even a little note in her lunch box. How simple is that? And how powerful! Remember:

You never know what someone is going through until you walk a mile in their shoes.

Make today the day you chose to encourage. What kind of powerful results did you see?

Relationships First Business Second...

Two or three days a week my morning begins with a workout after the car pool duties have been completed. Many days, as most moms’ can relate to, there are a series of errands that need to be completed, such as bank deposit, stamps from the post office, groceries, etc. Today was nothing unusual. A package with a prepaid label had to be delivered to The UPS Store (I refer to them as ‘Brown’). Behind the counter, the energetic young man with great eyeglass frames and adorable balding head asked how he could help me. I smiled politely and greeted him with a hearty hello. The box that held my fragile item was a bit unassuming and needed some attention. We had used all the packaging tape we owned and came up a bit short in completing the task.

Here is the part of the story I really want you to catch….

Rather than approaching the ‘Brown’ employee swiftly with a rapid-fire list of tasks that he should do for me, I chose a different path. I engaged him in conversation.

I began with a line, something like, “Looks like you must be in charge here.” His eyes lit up and we were immediately off to a good start. A few more sentences were exchanged and then he offered to help me with my humble little mailing. That point was the first I mentioned needing to mail this package AND that additional tape was needed to secure the package. (I was fully prepared to purchase a roll of packing tape and finish off the job on my own)

Here’s what happened next…

The ‘Brown’ employee said, “Since you are so genuine and pleasant I would love to finish taping that box for you and get it on its way.”

I don’t know about you, but I haven’t heard the word genuine much lately - made me feel good because I was merely just being “me”. I had no ulterior motive – I believe that it is a whole lot easier to be happy and pleasant than sad and disgruntled. In reply I blurted out…”Relationships First Business Second.” It seems more important than ever in today’s high-tech world, that we remember the relationship. The ‘Brown’ employee and I continued our conversation and I was introduced to the other ‘Brown’ employee as well. We laughed and joked around for at least another 5 minutes.

My wisdom for you today…

Whatever we are doing in life…building a business, raising a family, working our job, mailing a package…it is important to remember:

Relationships First Business Second

It seems that most solid businesses are successful because they made relationships a priority over everything else. Now it’s your turn. Go out and give away a smile, offer a hearty hello, and notice the person on the other side of the counter. That is a true win-win in life.

What's Your Story?

It was Monday afternoon, the day after Easter. A call to customer service to deal with a cell phone challenge, kept me on the line longer than anticipated – I miss two calls from my husband. Later when we did connect, he relayed some startling news – his uncle had just been killed in a car accident. That icy chill traveled quickly from the base of my neck, down my back and through the back of my legs. I found my way to the floor to sit in attempt to absorb the shock.


This was the uncle who was an entrepreneur, who preferred to call his own shots, who took pride in going after what he wanted and built a financially secure future for himself, his children and his grandchildren. He and his wife were never content sitting at home – they traveled the world and experienced many cultures and people. When he shook your hand, it was always a firm handshake and he looked you straight in the eye. An outsider would say, he “led the good life”. I would say, he was determined, decisive, hard working and believed in himself – he led by example.

Over the last 20 years, I saw this man only on occasion, but I looked forward to each encounter. My favorite thing to do, when in his presence, was to just sit quietly and listen to him tell stories. Boy, did he have some tales. Sometimes it was a funny story of some people they encountered on a cruise ship or a quirky question he was asked by a business client. Sometimes it was one of those pride-filled stories of time spent with a granddaughter. Yet other times, he spoke of the scenic wonders he experienced with his eyes while touring an exotic land. With a grin on my face, I wondered, if time permitted, could he continue entertaining forever?

Today the family is faced with the reality that there will be no more stories. Those precious stories were filled with golden nuggets of wisdom which the listener could gain an education. Those precious stories not only entertained me but opened my eyes to a new perspective – a bigger world. I cherish the moments I was afforded to spend with this man. Today, the thought that crushes my spirit is realizing that the opportunity to glean the golden nuggets of wisdom from the experiences of this man…are gone. Now I must face the fact that his wisdom will go to the grave with him.

This tragedy has given me a new perspective for the project I am working on. The Wisdom Project (http://www.thewisdomproject.info/) was birthed with the belief that each time one person shares their wisdom – another person is strengthened. One of the best ways to share that wisdom is to put our thoughts/ideas/experiences to paper and share them in book form to reach people across the world. That is just what The Wisdom Project has committed to do – collect your stories of wisdom and pass them on.

No one knows how many days they have left to live. Yet while we are here, we have the opportunity, if we choose, to take a few moments and write down some words of wisdom. How many days do you have left to share your wisdom – to pass it onto the next generation? I encourage you to take the time to write what wisdom means to you and submit it to yourstory@thewisdomproject.info so your legacy can carry on.

What's your story? 

Someone out there is waiting to hear it!

What Are YOU Looking At?

Some may interpret an amount of bitterness in that question. However, there IS another way to read that question. My intention was merely to find out what you are looking at - what are you focused on? Where is your energy and thoughts pointed today?


Many years ago, a well respected mentor taught me a lesson on focus that has left a profound impact on my life. After all these years, her words ring in my head again today. She said:

What you focus on will expand.

Simple statement, wouldn’t you agree? When thinking of real life examples of focal points, the message can paint a vibrant mental picture. Think on this:

   • If you focus on food – your waistline can expand.
   • If you focus on exercise – your health can improve.
   • If you focus on your homework – your grades can get better.
   • If you focus on skipping school – your detention can increase.
   • If you focus on ways to bring your family together – your relationships can be enriched.
   • If you focus on your communication skills – you can become more confident

My challenge to you today is to find what you want to expand in your life. Are you focused on the right area? If we continue to focus on the caterpillar, we could easily be blinded by the overwhelming vision of death, loss and ending. But if we are focused on looking for the beautiful new fluttering butterfly on its way, we fill our mind with life, victory and a new sense of beginning. What are YOU looking at?

What you focus on will expand.

Simple Things that Make You Smile (Part II)...

Last November, one of my blogs (http://bit.ly/bHSK9U) challenged you to list some simple things in life that put a smile on your face. I gave several examples of my own to help others stimulate thoughts of happiness in their life.

As the month of March comes to a close, I recognize that it was a time filled with great emotions on both sides of the spectrum – from sheer elation and exhilaration all the way to hurt, fear and frustration with many other emotions in between. I’ve dealt with challenges out of my control, like my luggage taking a holiday across the United States while I spent a holiday in Australia. (I’ll write about that experience some day later) I’ve received news from dear friends about personal health challenges they were facing and others who watched their closest loved ones fight a hard fought battle. Most recently, our neighborhood learned of a pedophile living nearby who committed yet another offense. Finally, without fail, all I have to do is turn on the television and watch the news, if I want to listen to heated arguments where two opposing groups of people verbally bash each other because the hurt and fear inside has erupted.

With all that pain, hurt and sorrow, how can anyone find a reason to smile? In a moment of reflection, I immediately thought of a favorite saying:

“It’s not what happens to you, it’s what you do before it, during it and after it.”

Today I choose to dance in the rain. Today I choose to accept that this world is not perfect and free from hurt…and neither am I. Today I choose to find the things in life that make me smile, no matter how big or small they are. Today I encourage you to choose the same.