Another First

Is it just ME, or do you, too, love to know there are still ‘firsts’ in the world to be celebrated?

Today’s news aired expansive coverage of the Canonizing of two outstanding men to an audience of tens of millions of viewers plus the 1.2 million pilgrims and visitors who crowded the streets around Vatican City, Italy.

This unprecedented event that raised two former Vicars of the Catholic Church to the level of sainthood was also marked for having two Popes in attendance.

This is not about religion, this is about the fact that in an age of so horror and devastation, two men of the modern world impacted it so that their legacy is an outstanding testament to the fact that there is still an opportunity to do right in times that present challenges that can sometimes make it hard to see with unwavering clarity the truth as we need to experience it.

As a young student, I loved reading the biographies of ancient saints: John the Baptist, Daniel in the lion’s den, Francis of Assisi, Theresa of the Little Flower.

Each story profound; a sign of their times; it seemed sainthood had become a series of ancient history lessons; until today’s powerful reminder.

Now, have no doubt, I know that the likes of Mother Theresa will never become cliché; such humanity, sadly, will never be found on every corner (it would be nice to have at least one in every corner of the world, though!).  But, acts of kindness, thoughtfulness of others, sharing yours talents with others and helping them realize their own…these things ARE possible and that CAN change the world and they SHOULD become part of daily life.

Elevation to sainthood requires miracles among additional criteria that separate  the ‘common’ man from a saint, These miracles must be documented, studied, authenticated, verified and reviewed by committee after committee.

 

It caused me to think it may be easier to live in a saintly way than to actually become a saint.  It’s also rather motivating.  So, why not?

 

I am more than confident that in everyone’s life, there have been events we have all called miraculous; I know they exist in my life!

We hear stories of survival after unimaginable accidents, strangers saving strangers, animals enduring extreme conditions as they make their way across the country to reunite with their families.  Yes, miracles happen every day.  

   

Here’s a challenge I put out there, and forgive me for assuming the right to do.

Create miracles, recognize the miracles of others, encourage the possibility of miracles in, for and by and because of others. 

We are, after all, women, responsible for the continuation of mankind:  miracle!

So IS it just me, or do you,  too,  agree that while there is not a Mother Theresa on every corner, - and there never will be -   there is still the possibility to be a tiny bit like this extraordinary women and to do simple things with great love and  to change the lives of  others.  Actually, it’s what women do every day.

Maybe no one is watching, but, hey, that’s makes it even better!

There are miracles in all of us.

Yesterday’s Memories Create Better Tomorrows

Is it just ME, or do you, too love to reflect on childhood memories? I’m somewhat of a story teller.  Many of the stories I tell are life experiences of years gone by.   Many are second generation stories as I try to repeat words of wisdom spoken and taught by my Dad, even his jokes, which are never as good when I tell them! Ahh!  Sweet memories!  So worth remembering,; so worth sharing. Below is such a story as shared by Mala Brindley who looks back on fond memories then takes those memories to create a better future for her own children and the children of the world…. Restoring Balance We all come into this world with a task to accomplish… when we don’t think on these things and we get too caught up in the day to day we forget our spiritual responsibilities. We reach a stage where we ask, “Is this all there is?” - “Why am I here?” Growing up in Barbados, we spent many wonderful days walking the beach and poking around the reefs of the east coast of the island… ahhhh… there is nothing between there and the coast of Africa - the air is cleaner and waves never stop crashing.  My dad bought our beach house over 55 years ago. He wanted my eldest sister to spend as much time there so it would ease her asthmatic conditions. All four girls have the best memories of spending time at the beach house. The carefree days of being in the sun and getting the salt spray all over your skin and the sand in your hair - oh those were the days. I would spend hours looking into all the rock pools in the reefs at low tide. I’d talk to the fish and hold the sea urchins and watch all their spiny needles dance. I loved all the seaweeds and coral formations - they were home. They needed to be cared for and protected.   Years later I would find myself happily married in Toronto. My husband Paul loved the east coast as much as I did and cared for the environment just as deeply. I always wanted to help but I didn’t know how. I wanted so much to clean up the beach and to educate people on being more environmentally conscious. We raised our boys checking out the fish and looking for patterns in the coral formations when we’d go on our holidays back home. They grew up frolicking in the same rock pools that we did and our parents did. I wanted for these precious human beings to have the same experiences that we had growing up. There’s a part of us that gets lazy as we “grow up” - we forget the power and gifts given by the creative forces - we stop taking time to be still and we don’t make time to align with Source. This takes us away from the things we love and treasure - the same things we want for our children and our grandchildren. And yet if we don’t make time for those things and show our children that we are doing all that we can to keep “our home” pure and clean, how will they learn and what condition will our planet be in if we don’t make time to look after what we forget is most dear? If every home made a conscious decision to live more mindfully, life would be more gracious. So often in the taking and working, we forget that a walk in the forest, a swim in the lake or just laying on a blanket in the park watching the leaves on the trees and the clouds in the sky is what we need most to feel that sense of what’s right with us - taking time to be grateful for all that we have. This can be done by going back to Mother Nature’s laws; to simplifying and making sure we all take time to connect to our divine nature. If we made more conscious choices of what we needed for ourselves, we would be gentler with ourselves and our planet. Even in the coldest longest winters, we can get cozy, close our eyes and give thanks. As we emerge into this spring, let’s remember to give back and take care of our Mother Earth. Together we can restore balance to what really matters. Mala Brindley Mala is taking part in a special World Healing Conference led by the renowned Kathy Roseborough on April 26th. You don't have to attend physically to be showered with Blessings and Healing.  Click here to help heal our waters. Here’s to creating new memories for tomorrow!

“O”, Yes

Is  it just ME, or do you, too, love the new-found energy that comes with the arrival of kinder, gentler weather.

In the Western Hemisphere, we are now in Spring and, after a devastating  winter, I am sure we are all ready for Spring-Fever.  To those in the Eastern Hemisphere, I hope you enjoyed a beautiful spring and summer that fortified you for the winter ahead.

Energy!  While there are many ways of expressing what energy is, I see it, no I feel it, as that want from within, that desire to take on new projects (or finish the old ones!),  that ability to see things on the lighter, brighter side and to move forward.

Energy!  It’s a life force, it’s a life source.  It’s vibrational,  it’s the flow of blood through your veins, it’s the ability to imagine and to realize the difference between living and just being alive.

ERGO, in the absence of energy, it is the opposite of all of these things!

So, what energizes you?  Do you know?  Do you know what zaps your energy?

Recently, I have shared many conversations with women of The International Women’s Leadership Association (TheIWLA) and what I am hearing is energy on a whole new level.  Thanks, that gets my energy going!

I am hearing words such as ‘inspired’,  ‘ focus’,  ‘now I get it’,  ‘desire’,  “I can”,  ‘purpose’,  ‘fulfillment’.   These are powerful indications of what is being felt, experienced and desired.  Yeah, it’s good; it’s all good. 

Mentor to women everywhere, Oprah Winfrey describes energy this way:

“Energy is the essence of life. Every day you decide how

  you’re going to use it by knowing what you want and what   

  it takes to reach that goal, and by maintaining focus.”

What energy IS NOT, is that it is not to be wasted.  Energy is a gift; a gift you may have been given and a gift you can share – and perhaps even give – to others.

The really great thing about energy is that it must be spent to have its true value; otherwise it just seems to fade, to evaporate.  

Once spent, it comes right back to you.  ENERGY BEGETS ENERGY!

If you are feeling low on energy (no matter what time of the year it is), turn your “ON” switch on; energy will start generating on its own.

Once in energy mode, you will not want to live without it and the world may miss your greatest contribution; don’t let that happen!

As always, it’s about choice; your choice. 

If you are just not sure about how to build the energy you need to reach your goals, to fulfill your dreams, to realize what you are truly capable of……call me!  REALLY, CALL ME!

So IS it just me – and Oprah – or do you, too get that you are the keeper of your own energy level.  But, don’t keep it…give it away and start manufacturing more!

855 843-4952

Everything is hard before it gets easy!

Is it just ME, or do you, too relate to this title?

Remember trying to learn a new lesson in school?  How to diagram a sentence, Trigonometry, conjugating verbs, parsing nouns – IN LATIN!!!

I suddenly have a pounding headache!!! 

What about leaving a message on an answering machine for the first 100 times?  Instant panic, “Hi, it’s me; call me; bye”!   NOW, we feel at ease to go on and on, and on, and on…                      AND ON!

What about using your computer?  Sending e-mails, texting?

As new experiences they may have created challenges; now they are second nature.  (Parsing nouns in Latin:  still not easy!)

Matters of the heart!  Sometimes hard; easy with the right person.

Starting a business!  Sometimes, it may seem impossible.  Then you start.  Day by day it becomes part of you and you a part of it.  It’s easier!

Virtually every day, women of The International Women’s Leadership Association (TheIWLA) share their trials, their tribulations, their triumphs.  I imagine it may have been hard for many of them to be that honest, that open; then it got easier.

In listening to these women, what was once hard(er) for me to understand has become quite easy, that is, that if something means enough to you and if that something is a true and valued cause, it’s not too hard.

What I don’t think ever gets easier is wondering why, or what if. 

What seem hard for you right now?  Please stop and consider that, won’t you?

WHY does it seem hard?  WHAT is it that scares you?  WHERE is your doubt, your fear? 

Now, here’s the big question; the ‘hardest’ one to answer….

WHO’s making it hard, WHO’s getting in your way?

While I think we all know the answer, it may be too hard to hear yourself say it aloud.  But, as soon as you say it, you begin to accept it and as soon as you accept it – it begins to get easier.

If this is too hard to do alone, call me…it used to be hard to find me; now it’s easy!!!

So, IS it just me, or do you, too still find parsing nouns – IN LATIN – not all that easy?

Et Tu?

Goals… Choices… Fulfillment

Is it just ME, or do you, too, see reflections of one, two, many women you know in this story?  What about one of yourself?

We grow up wanting to please others: our parents, our teachers, total strangers.  Then, we become who we are meant to be.  We think for ourselves, chose for ourselves and in so doing may please others more than we thought possible; even ourselves!

I dare say we may each see - or remember – a bit of our own journey in this candid piece written by Christina Skytt.  It may touch a nerve, it may stir a memory and it may just encourage; they’re all good.

At the age of 30, my life looked to others like “the picture of success” – an enviable career, lots of friends, and a great marriage. But on the inside I was hurting badly.

What I wanted more than anything else was to have a baby and the question why I couldn’t became existential. Was I not supposed to be a mom? What did life have in mind for me, if not motherhood? Was it my relationship that was failing?

For the first time in my adult life, I had no control of my situation.

No matter how hard I tried, I could not influence the outcome. I was doing “everything” and investigating all possible solutions through doctors, homeopaths, blood tests, temperatures, psychics, adoption, and eventually IVF (In Vitro Fertilization). But all I got out of it was a horrible roller coaster ride of hormones, hopes, and grief.

My mind was overwhelmed with frustration and sadness, as my body rejected one egg after another.

I was too embarrassed to talk about it and I never shared how I really felt. I was happy for my friends when they had babies... but at the same time, I was crying my eyes out.

On top of this, I was in a job where I was working 60-100 hours per week, travelling 80% of my time, being so exhausted when I came home that there was no energy left.

My emotional life was a mess, strained to its limit.

Now, I was brought up in a demanding family... and all my life I had been driven by other people’s high expectations. I started school one year early, and was sent away to boarding school in England at the tender age of 12.

The decision, of course, was not mine – and I was totally homesick, crying myself to sleep each night.

By the time my parents visited at mid-term, I had made up my mind to go home, and was waiting for them with my bags already packed. But my father ruled that I was to stay. The last thing he said was, “If you accomplish this, you will be able to accomplish anything in life.” So I stayed.

I attended high school in the United States, and after graduating, I was accepted as the youngest student to the Stockholm School of Economics – where the highest grades are required. Once again, I was doing everything that was expected of me.

But were these my goals or somebody else’s? Was it just the fact that, in my family, “everybody” had gone to that very same school, and many of my friends wanted to go there?

I was living a life without listening to my own voice or setting my own goals. I kept on doing everything that was expected of me and I did it without any type of reflection on what I REALLY wanted.

On one of my business trips, I met with a colleague and told him my story. He gave me a book on personal development and, for the first time, I started to reflect on my situation and my life. That was my turning point.

I started asking myself questions like: “Is this the life I have chosen, or has it been chosen for me?”... “What do I REALLY want in life?”... “Is this the relationship I want for the rest of my life?”... “Am I doing work that I love?”... “Where do I want to live?"... “Are my friends really friends that I can count on or are they just acquaintances?”

I finally realized that I had to take ACTIVE RESPONSIBILITY for my life. For the first time, I set goals that were truly my own, not influenced by others. They were big. They were bold. And they were even scary.

But they were mine, and they gave me a feeling of power I had never felt before, from just setting goals. So I called them my POWER Goals.

Since I started applying Power Goals to my life, I’ve become truly fulfilled. The first Power Goal resulted in the birth of my daughter, Alexandra – and like magic, I now have four wonderful children. Because of my second Power Goal, I am now remarried and in a true and loving relationship. My third Power Goal resulted in me leaving the corporate world, starting my own business, and now having full freedom of time, money, and location.

After my own experience, I started sharing the concept with others – using their successes and feedback to fine-tune my system. That allowed me to write, Power Goals: 9 clear steps to achieve life-changing goals. 

So if you too have ever had thoughts like these:

·    I need to find some balance between work and the rest of my life.

·    The spark has gone out of my career – I feel like I’m meant to be doing something else.

·    I have so many big ideas, but I don’t have a road-map on how to get there.

·    Am I working towards my own goals, or someone else’s?

... then maybe you need to experience the life-changing magic of making your own POWER GOALS.

So IS it just me, or do you, too see that it all starts with a goal that determines our choices and leads to fulfillment.?

Power goals; yeah, I like that!

To learn more about Christina and get a copy of her book Power Goals, please go to: www.powergoalsacademy.com 

To fear or not to fear

Is it just ME, or do you, too, know wonderful people who live with a fear that seems to control their lives to a detrimental degree?

Am I hitting too close to home on this one?

It is not unrealistic to live with fear – of something!  The unknown?  Failure? Let’s call that lack of success!  Death!  (Believe it or not, fear of public speaking is more feared than death, itself!  Imagine choosing to die rather than having to speak in public?)

Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR), 32^nd President of The United States assumed the office at the depth of the Great Depression.  Those were fearful times for the vast majority of Americans and FDR is well-known for helping Americans regain faith in themselves and in overcoming the fear of this most trying time.  In his Inaugural Address, he said, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself”. With that, an entire nation began to heal; they overcame fear and took action.

Fear paralyzes, costs time, edits success, forestalls potential brilliance and under-develops what might have been.

I dare say the jury is still out on whether the greater fear is that of failure or success!  Are they really all that opposite?  I see them as quite related.

In both cases it is about making a commitment to something and seeing it through with no guarantee as to what the outcome may be.  That takes courage, which many may perceive as the opposite of one who is fearful.

Putting it on the line, exposing your inner thoughts, dreams and hopes to the world comes with responsibility, which is too much for some to be willing to live with.   What a shame!

Success is never guaranteed; it always comes with risk.

Not trying comes with as much risk; risk of a different type, albeit, but risk, nonetheless.  It is the risk of not rising to your greatest potential, of never tasting the sweetness of success, the risk of disappointing the one who has the right to expect the most of and from you; YOU.

We live in a world of ‘I told you sos’, or ‘I knew you couldn’t do it’ and ‘I knew you didn’t have it in you’ critics; typically those who have risked little, themselves.  Well, we’ve all heard the expression that miser loves company!

Just today, I heard ‘women are like tea; they only become all they can be when they are in hot water’.  WOW; I love this metaphor!

 

It made me further think that tea is often flavored with lemon and/or sugar.

Double WOW!!

The result, therefore, could be bitter or sweet and in both cases, the hot water is required; think of that as the effort, the risk, the energy, the period of wondering, waiting, working the plan….

Every woman is capable of so much; she just has to want it badly enough to ‘make it happen’; it rarely happens any other way.

Consider your fears.  Consider what they may be holding you back from.

Now think of what would happen if you threw that fear away.  What would unloading that burden make possible in your life, in your career?

Weigh the pluses and the minuses…you decide!

So, IS it just me, or do you, too suddenly feel like throwing a tea party?

Pass the sugar, please!

You can’t reap what you don’t sow!

Is it just ME, or do you, too know people who live a life of contemplation without action? What do I mean by that? Well, it’s about people who talk about doing things but never do them or wish for things yet do nothing  - or too little - to make them happen ? For me, I have always said I would rather try and not sucedd than spend my life wondering ‘what if’! I recall so many time my Dad saying, “A million tiny little steps, a million tiny little steps.” Obviously, he meant that as long as you were in motion and never stopped you could get anywhere; smartest man I ever knew!! I want to share an inspirational story proving that taking what may seems as insignificant action truly can make a tremendous difference that impact, not only you, but indeed, the world!

One Seed At A Time; shared by Sameer Vasta A man in India single-handedly planted an entire forest, proving that one person really can make a large difference. You always hear that one person can make a large difference in the world. Today, we've got a story that proves that saying. When he was a teenager in Northern India's Assam region about 30 years ago, Jadav "Molai" Payeng began planting seeds in a sandbar near his birthplace. A few years later, he moved into the area and turned the seed-planting and tree-nurturing into his life's work, planting seeds and helping them grow over a wide area that was initially left for desolate. In the past 30 years, his seed-planting endeavours have resulted in a massive, 1,360-acre jungle in Assam, a forest ecosystem that has left an incredible mark on the Indian landscape and stands as a testament to Payeng's dedication. Initially, the forest department told Payeng that trees could not grow in that area. He was not dissuaded; instead he dedicated himself to the task of nurturing the forest, and his dedication has produced results. The Molai woods, in addition to being covered with lush greenery, is now home to a whole host of creatures big and small, including birds, deers, rhinos, tigers, and elephants. Jadav "Molai" Payeng is a hero to those animals, to the ecosystem in the area, and to conservationists across India. But he is also a hero to us, people living oceans away who don't necessarily work in forestry or in the environment industry. Payeng is a hero because he has proven that with commitment, blood, sweat, knowledge, and dedication to making a difference, one Person can truly make a difference, and a large difference, on the world. It's easy to discount the impact that we can have on the people and places around us. It's easy to feel insignificant when faced with the enormity of the issues that surround us. But it's important to remember that our actions, no matter how small they may be, make a difference. Whether it's bringing a smile to someone's day or revitalizing a forest ecosystem, the little acts of kindness and good have enormous impact. Our small actions may not necessarily lead to a forest and safe haven for animals, but they have the potential to grow and flourish all the same. So, IS it just me, or do you, too, realize through this amazing story that the smallest actions over time can make a world of difference? I hope you are inspired and encouraged as well as appreciative for what may seem like ‘the little things’ that others do to make a difference is your life.

Life: one step at a time

Keep them motivated!

Is it just ME, or do you, too, know women who try so very hard but make one big mistake?

This is an unusual posting for me, yet one I felt compelled to write.  It is based on two conversations I shared with members of The International Women’s Leadership Association (TheIWLA).  My experiences encouraged me to share the lesson learned from their two completely different circumstances.

Let me set the stage a bit:

Both women are already well-accomplished as they aspire to do more in an effort to share their knowledge and their passions with the general public.

Both did a ‘degree’ of due diligence to align themselves with the proper ‘partners’ to help actualize their visions.

Both were let down!

I am not, by any definition, a legal pro.  However, I do have a strong belief in right and wrong and to fairness.

I get that within every woman is the tendency to trust – believe me, I KNOW!  We want to trust because we want to believe the party we extend that trust to is worthy of it.  We often learn the hard way!

The two women with whom I spoke extended their trust in pursuit of their dreams.  Both had contracted with a party who ‘promised’ to do their share to see these dreams through; to help make them come true.

Both were let down.

One expressed that she had paid her life’s savings.

One expressed that she had to do the work she believed was the responsibility of the other party.

Neither project has been completed.

WHY?

I am sure there are an assortment of reasons and I admit I only know one side.

HOWEVER, I believe the common denominator is that both women paid 100% upfront.  In so doing, that which typically motivates other to do their work – to get paid, was eliminated. 

Motivation was erased.

That’s a hard lesson for anyone to learn, especially well-intended, enthusiastic professionals who let their good natures be taken advantage of. 

I am not attempting to give legal advice, but I am strongly recommending that you seek legal counsel when entering in to a legal arrangement.  Make sure your legal party of choice has YOUR best interest at heart.

Both women shared that ‘the other party’ wrote the contracts.  Both shared they thought the agreement was very positive.  Neither had it reviewed.  Both paid the entire fee upfront.

Long past the dates of complete fulfillment and delivery of products/services, there are two lovely women left with a sense of disappointment and abandon.

These are tough – and expensive – lessons to learn.  

If I may offer just 3 points:

1.) Seek reliable counsel.

2.) If it doesn’t feel right; it isn’t.  If it isn’t fair for all parties, IT ISN’T FAIR!

3.) Create a timeline that establish milestones of work to be accomplished in exchanged for incremental partial payments; never pay in full upfront!

TheIWLA encourages all women to dream, to create goals and to envision a better world because of their contribution to it.  We will all be better because of it.

Despite setbacks, if and when your dreams are important enough to you, you will continue forward and we hope you will.

So, IS it just me, or do you, too, wish these two wonderful women the joy of seeing their dreams come true; I’ll let you know when they do.     

We live; we learn.

We care; so we share.