Changing Direction

Do you have any close friendships where you don't keep in touch on a daily, weekly, or even monthly basis?  Well, I have a few friendships like this where there may even be a year or more time between our contact.  It's amazing how all of that time can go by, but once we reconnect, it's as if no time ever passed . Of course there is lots to catch up on but what I mean is, there is the feeling that we haven't lost the deeper connection. If you have a friendship like this, feel free to leave a comment and share. It's not an easy thing to explain but it's a beautiful thing to know that the spiritual connections remain regardless of time and space. Ironically, today I reconnected with a very close friend after a long time and it inspired me to post on this topic. For all of my friends whom I share this special bond with, I love you and look forward to the next time we meet again.

I had an interesting dream the other night. I dreamed that I walked out of my house into stormy weather. The wind was almost hurricane force. I had a lot of trouble making my way back to my open door. Interestingly, a book came flying out the door opening and it was "The Four Agreements" by Don Miguel Ruiz. I awakened remembering that I hadn't completed reading this book so I took it as a sign that I should. The Four Agreements is  based on ancient Toltec wisdom and is a practical approach to stress management and personal growth.  I highly recommend it if you haven't already read it. The Four Agreements are: 1. Be Impeccable With Your Word. 2. Don't Take Anything Personally. 3. Don't Make Assumptions. 4. Always Do Your Best. Sounds fairly simple but as you delve into the book you'll see that changing the way you think about things or how you react to things and people isn't so easy. The book elaborates on each agreement and assists you in ...

I can't believe the holidays are upon us already.  This year has flown and we're just days away from Thanksgiving!  If there's one thing I have been mindful of over this year it is to never wait for a specific day to give thanks. Don't wait for a national holiday to show gratitude to those in your life who have been there for you or for the simple but ultra important things like waking up and air to breathe.  Be thankful each and every day for all of your many blessings.   For some this is a traditional time for family reunion and to get caught up with distant relatives and friends.  For others this time of year is not so easy or may even be painful so my heart really goes out to them. The challenge for all is to realize that no matter what may be going on in your life, you always have something to be grateful for. But  please keep in mind that there are those who are less fortunate. Keep them in your thoughts and prayers. Never stop thanking t...

Do you sometimes feel like people in our society are getting more and more disrespectful, rude, or insensitive? Well I recently saw a TV commercial that touched me from the Foundation For a Better Life .  The Foundation for a Better Life promotes positive values with the belief that people are basically good and just need a reminder and that the values we live by are worth more when we pass them on. I believe this too! Check out a few of my favorite Pass It On commercials. Integrity Good Manners Including Others Good Stuff Respect What do you believe is most influential in the development of today's values? Family School Church/Religion Friends TV View Results Create a Blog Poll You can check out more TV spots at Values.com and don't forget to PASS IT ON !

Today is the day to vote in the mid-term elections. Thanks to all who fought for the rights of women and people of color in the passage of the 15th and 19th Amendments which makes it possible for me to exercise my right this morning. Please exercise YOUR right to VOTE today!

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  How do you define beauty? Do you think that you really know what beauty is? Or do you let the daily barrage of what is fed to you through media define beauty for you?  Every culture tends to define it a little differently but textbook definition is that beauty generally is what is pleasing to the eye. That can vary from person to person. We should all know that true beauty goes beyond the skin's surface. Here is a good video called "The Evolution of Beauty". It shows how a woman is prepped for an ad campaign. I think it's very important for people to see especially young people who struggle with the whole notion that beauty should have a certain "look". Trying to model yourself up to images in the media can be a dangerous practice. Beauty comes in many forms. I like the video's message that every girl should feel beautiful. It's important to remember that not everything you see is truly as it appears.  My message is that beauty may b...

Whenever I'm in an unpleasant situation I always try to remember the popular proverb, " This too shall pass " as a reminder that it is a temporary setback and to keep the faith. But the other day a friend of mine sent me this clever video of a song with that as their title.  I'm thinking it could have also been titled 'chain reaction'.  :-) Check it out below.

Sometimes in the midst of a hectic hustle and bustle of the day it's nice to take a little break and smile.  Taking a few minutes away from work can help protect our body from exhaustion and fatigue. It also helps to boost motivation and productivity.   Here are a couple of feel-good videos of folks getting down to some music that made me smile.  Enjoy! "I Gotta Feelin" - by Black Eyed Peas Also, Kim MacGregor launched a grassroots movement to unite and inspire 1,000,000 women around the world to recognize the amazing women in their lives. Love the lyrics... "I Believe" by Yolanda Adams They said you wouldn't make it so far ah ah And ever since they've said it its been hard But never mind that night'cha had to cry Cause you had never let it go inside You worked real hard and you know exactly what you want and need so believe And you can never give up You can reach your goals Just talk to your soul and say... I believe i can I believe i...

** Update 9/17/10 ** There has been a recent report that this woman filed a false report. She was not attacked by acid but inflicted the wounds upon herself. She obviously has serious issues and was just looking for attention. There seems to be quite a bit of that going on these days. Some people will do any and everything to get it.  I truly hope that she gets the mental help that she needs.  And as far as everything I said in my previous post, I'll have to take it all back because she's a fake!  **Original post** I normally post "news" on Newz_Junkie's Blog but this story touched me in more than a current events way.  When 28 year old Bethany Storro was met with an acid attack to her face she endured great pain and emotional damage.  But even through this she is showing a lot of strength.  She speaks of how she normally does not wear sunglasses because she does not like them but just minutes before the attack bought a pair and had them on w...

We are living in some trying times right now.  It's understandable that a lot of people are struggling in some way shape or form.  Some are struggling in multiple areas.  But have you thought about where your focus is?  What I mean is, are you giving all your power to the troubles that you are having?  I have found that this causes the majority of stress.  I have learned that if you want to reduce stress in your life you will need to take the emphasis off of all the bad things that may be going on.  It isn't easy at first but with practice you will find that it is possible to have many many more good days despite what is going on.   Here are some ways that I refocus my energy: Release the "I am the victim" mentality Okay, things can and do happen to us BUT you have to know when to let go and move forward.  Being stuck is one of the worse things you can do to yourself.  Remember that being stuck is a choice.  Choose to release you...

I am going through a transition where right now I am making less money but I am much happier than I was when I made much more.  Sounds odd I know but it's true.  Yes, it has been an adjustment but not nearly as painful as I thought it would be.  Take a look at this video on how you can actually end up making even more money in the long run by doing work that you love. "Too many of us are not living our dreams because we are living our fears." - Les Brown

I wonder what's down the road.  I wonder what is around the corner.  I wonder where my efforts will lead me.  There are times that I wish I had a crystal ball to give me at least a hint or glimpse of the future.  I'm excited about the possibilities but am trying to live in the moment...taking each day, each hour, each moment at a time.

This past week I have been busy with the business of follow ups.  I have had business contacts to follow up with, my life coach to follow up with, and job interviews to follow up with.  The important thing about the follow up is to bring clarity to a situation as to next steps or in some instances, closure.  The other important thing about the follow up is the exchange of valuable feedback.  I especially like it when this is possible because I always want to know if there are ways that I can improve myself or offer suggestions to others.    For the most part I can say that I have had some successful communication these past few days.  Some people and/or companies are better than others.  There are three businesses that were supposed to follow up with me that I have yet to hear from with next steps but in those cases I did not let too much time go by without sending out my own communication just to keep myself top of mind with them. Right now I ...

I'm posting this video link for a very special friend of mine who is going through some serious challenges. Joyce Meyers speaks on "The hope of seeing change".  If you are going through something and are feeling like you are losing hope please invest time to watch.  Joyce delivers a great message as always https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEt0pnUQQMc

Self help author and motivational speaker Tony Robbins has a new TV show called "Breakthrough".  I believe that it was great timing to launch a show like this when we as a country are going through so many challenges.  Tony Robbins inspires and helps to show people how to take back control of your life.  He finds ways to help trigger the shift in people so that they can live a fuller life despite what they're going through. If you haven't seen the premier, check it out here... "The secret of success is learning how to use pain and pleasure instead of having pain and pleasure use you. If you do that, you're in control of your life. If you don't, life controls you. " - Tony Robbins

We did quite a bit of exploring. We checked out some of the things right around our hotel (yes the casinos, clubs & bars) and then spent the day at LarcoMar which is a large upscale shopping area full of restaurants and bars. While there we had lunch and then went for drinks at TGIFridays and watched the World Cup! Viva Espana! After spending the day there we got lucky and met a friendly cab driver/tour guide named Francisco who spoke very good English.  Although my Spanish isn't terrible, it was really nice to run across him. He offered to give us a city tour which we took him up on on Tuesday.   But before that, on Monday we went on a trip outside of Lima to an area called Paracas via Cruz del Sur luxury bus line and toured Paracas Reserve...   Then on to a little fishing village for lunch called Lagunilla. The contrasting views of the desert meeting the sea were breathtaking. We even got a chance to see the famous area where "Planet of the Apes" shot the ...

Excitement had been building for months and we were finally set to take off on our Peruvian adventure. It turned out though that we ended up in Atlanta for the first 2 days of our trip due to lack of seats available on the flight. We discovered that there is just one Delta flight that goes down to Lima and when flying standby it's a gamble as to whether you will make it on. The good part about being in ATL for a couple of days is that we got to spend time with family which was fun. We did dinner and drinks on both nights to officially start the pre-Peruvian fun. By the time day 3 rolled around it was "3rd times a charm" and we made it on board... 1st class baby! And boy was it awesome!! There's nothing like an international 1st class flight. Comfort, fine food, pampering by flight attendants, drinks, and more drinks. Thanks Cuz!!!   Our flight touched down at just before midnight and after making it through customs we were off to our hotel in Miraflores. Miraf...