Break week

This is a week that is free from corporate work! I appreciate the time between Christmas and New Years. There are enough days to do nothing, to be productive, and everything in between. I am doing some reading today and some reflecting and creating dreams for myself. I updated my blog format and am thinking about how to get back to blogging.

Tomorrow is another day. Nothing is on the calendar yet. Something will speak to me - I know it will.

Nov 13 - 30daysofthanks

Today is Friday...end of a full work week. There was lots that got done, new ideas and personal learnings.

I am thankful for the flexibility to work from home...2nd day this week. It gives me a quiet environment to work in.

I enjoy watching my son and what he does in his life. He is part of the drama crew and has late practice sessions but it is something he enjoys and will be over next week.

I give thanks for the food I have in my house and can make something nutritious at any time. I am thankful for my friend at work who joined me for a get-a-way lunch yesterday. We had good conversation.

I am starting to get more excited about Thanksgiving dinner at my house this year and what is going to be on the menu. I am also thinking about other things I can make. This time of year, I have an urge to prepare comforting meals for my family and friends.

Visit www.30daysofthanks.com to learn more about being intentional about giving thanks each day in November.

Nov 9 & 10: 30daysofthanks

I was thinking yesterday even though I didn't post of what I am thankful for...

Yesterday we heard re-organizational news at my corporate job. I am thankful that the leaders of our organization think and discuss the business decisions and announce them to us timely. I am thankful that although there are many changes in the works, that I have a job. I do like the work that I do and the people that I work with. The business decision that the company makes are out of my control. I do pray that people who are impacted by the upcoming changes walk into something much better!

Last night I enjoyed dinner with some wonderful ladies from church!! We all felt comfortable getting things off our chest and at the same time support each other. The food was good and the strengthening of our relationships was even better! Sheri (& Jane), Cami and Cindy...I love you ladies for everything that you bring at this time in our lives!!! It's perfect!

This morning, I told my son how proud I am of him. He got ready for school on time, came downstairs, made his breakfast AND his lunch without being told. He picks the 2 days a week that he can buy lunch from school and has to bring a lunch on the other days. He used the calendar on the refrigerator and did what had to be done. He has the night off (no meetings or practices on the schedule) and I don't have anything going on either. Today can be time we can hang out together :-)

I am happy I am going to get my hair done. I love my hairdresser...she is so passionate about her work and I always feel so special sitting in her chair, in the care of her heart and hands, and feel like a new woman when I leave her place and continue on my day's work!

I am thankful for my mother-in-law. She emailed me first thing when she saw the corporate news in the paper this morning and prayed for me and others effected at work. I reassured her that I am okay at this point. The fact she prayed for me and emailed me to let me know and make sure I was okay was so nice. I married into a very loving family.

Are you thinking (and writing) what you are thankful for every day this November? Why not start today? Make it official. It's fun and eye-opening. Go to www.30daysofthanks.com for more info.

Have a wonderful day full of gratitude!

Nov 5 - 30daysofthanks

I spent dinner yesterday with my son and our friends next door! We had good conversation and good food. It was all for a great cause...The Dog Watch Cafe in Stonington has committed to donating 300 turkeys for Thanksgiving and 300 turkeys for Christmas to the Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center! When you go for a meal (lunch or dinner), you "buy" a turkey for $12. Then the DWC matches the turkeys that were "bought". Win-win! I felt really good being able to participate in this cause so someone can have a turkey for the holidays :-)

I have a new weekly meeting to attend...although it is at 8:00 in the morning, my manager feels I am qualified to represent the group at this meeting :-)

My sister's first baby is scheduled to arrive Nov 17th...we all had a scare around 26 weeks but everything has turned around and she is scheduled to deliver around 39 weeks :-) Mom and baby are doing great! Bonus is that she is not that far away and I was requested to be at the hospital...I don't know if it will be during delivery or not but I am thankful to be that close to the miracle!

Visit 30daysofthanks to learn what this is all about.

Nov 4 - thankful

As part of the 30daysofthanks that I signed up for...here I am on my day 1.

I am thankful to Pam Thomas and what she shares. She is a wonderful gift to my life even if I have never met her in person. She joined this 30daysofthanks event on facebook, shared it and I read it.

I am thankful to have read about this 30daysofthanks event and thought about how it would work and if I could commit to doing this - playing full out. I have a to-do list for today, like everyone else does, but for right now, I am taking a few minutes to write what I am thankful for. What could be a better way to start the day?

I am thankful that it was nice out this morning @ 6:30 am, chilly 33 degrees, so I could walk to the bus stop with my son and talk with a neighbor friend who did the same with her son.

I am thankful to be able to work from home today so I can work but in a peaceful environment.

I am thankful that my wonderful husband is sitting in the same room, hearing me typing like crazy and asked what I am doing! So, of course, I had to tell him :-)

Share the idea of intentionally thinking about what you are thankful for, do it every day in November, and see if it doesn't change how you see your life.

If you are interested in starting go to www.30daysofthanks.com.

Be thankful every day in November!

I have signed up for this activity. Write on your blog, in your journal or on a napkin something that you are thankful for and do this every day in November.

Read more at http://www.30daysofthanks.com.

Helping others in order to help myself

I am going to give it a try...

I have been in a funk lately and I don't like it. The tickertape that is running through my head is overwhelming and nothing good is coming from it. Even though I am thinking about how good I would feel if the thoughts in my head were positive and productive, I so easily come back to the list of to-dos and expectations associated with every move I make.

Instead of trying to make myself think of something different and stop and recognize my accomplishments, I am going to stop thinking! Well, not completely. I am going think enough so I get things done that need to get done but I am going to get into action. This action is going to be focused on OTHERS and not on myself.

I have been here before. If I get out of my own way and do things to help others, then I will feel my goodness and see my accomplishments. I know when I talk to others and make it about them, it makes a big difference in both of us. I smile more and see more reasons to smile. This, of course, creates a domino effect of smiles and good things.

This morning it started...I stopped at the store and bought a vase of flowers for my co-workers/friend's birthday :-) It was such an unexpected surprise for her and I can hear her telling everyone about the surprise and how pretty the flowers are!

This is going to be a nice day!

The Flying Trapeze - does this resonate with you?

This has been presented to me in two different settings. It helps adjust my perception about change. Does it resonate with you?

 

 

Sometimes, I feel that my life is a series of trapeze swings.

I'm either hanging on to a trapeze bar swinging along or, for a few moments,

I'm hurdling across space between the trapeze bars.

 

Mostly, I spend my time hanging on for dear life to the trapeze bar of the moment.

It carries me along a certain steady rate of swing and I have the feeling that I'm in control.

I know most of the right questions, and even some of the right answers.

But once in a while, as I'm merrily, or not so merrily, swinging along,

I look ahead of me into the distance, and what do I see?

 

I see another trapeze bar looking at me. It's empty.

And I know, in that place in me that knows, that this new bar has my name on it.

It is my next step, my growth, my aliveness coming to get me.

In my heart of hearts I know that for me to grow,

I must release my grip on the present well-known bar to move to the new one.

 

Each time it happens, I hope—no, I pray—that I won't have to grab the new one.

But in my knowing place, I know that I must totally release my grasp on my old bar,

and for some moments in time I must hurtle across space before I can grab the new bar.

Each time I do this I am filled with terror.

It doesn't matter that in all my previous hurdles I have always made it.

 

Each time I am afraid I will miss,

that I will be crushed on unseen rocks in the bottomless basin between the bars.

 

But I do it anyway. I must.

 

Perhaps this is the essence of what the mystics call faith.

No guarantees, no net, no insurance, but we do it anyway

because hanging on to that old bar is no longer an option.

And so, for what seems to be an eternity but actually lasts a microsecond.

I soar across the dark void called "the past is over, the future is not yet here."

It's called a transition.

I have come to believe that it is the only place that real change occurs.

 

I have a sneaking suspicion that the transition zone is the only real thing,

and the bars are the illusions we dream up to not notice the void.

Yes, with all the fear that can accompany transitions, they are still the most vibrant,

growth-filled, passionate moments in our lives.

 

And so transformation of fear may have nothing to do with making fear go away,

but rather with giving ourselves permission to "hang out" in the transition zone -- between the trapeze bars --

allowing ourselves to dwell in the only place where change really happens.

 

It can be terrifying. It can also be enlightening.

 

Hurdling through the void, we just may learn to fly.

 

 

Be Open - Drop the Defensiveness

Welcome ideas that are not your own. Be open to what others have to say without getting defensive. Make it okay for others to share their ideas — even if those ideas conflict with yours.
 ~John Baldoni

Preacher??

I am still hearing positive comments from the worship service that I prepared a couple of weeks ago and the sermon that I wrote and delivered. It was a lot of work and I had some doubts. But I listened to my heart and let the Lord speak through me. It was one of the most powerful and amazing experiences I have had! The responses I have heard since that day have been so empowering for me! I look forward to doing future work like this. I am so thankful for the people who supported and encouraged me and gave me the material and space to prepare the sermon!

 

I encourage you to follow your heart. Put your expectation of the outcome aside. Do whatever feels good and have faith in the rest. Stand aside and let your work come through. Take time to reflect and see the messages of your life experiences.

After the first work day...

Today will be our 2nd day working on one of our official work sites arranged by the organization we are working with. It is just down the street from the volunteer shelter we are staying at. The neighborhoods look like a lot of one level homes made mostly of brick. Some homes look like ones in any neighborhood with vehicles in the drive way and flowers around the house. But some have yards that haven't been cared for, no vehicles in the drive way, broken windows or X's on the front of the house. These are houses where the people have not returned home. There may be different reasons why someone hasn't been able to return home or they have decided not to.

We are working on homes where families have gone through a case management system connected with the place we are staying. I don't know all the requirements or rules but we have been told there is a process.

The homes had to be gutted in order to rebuild because the water level was up to the roof tops. I was thinking yesterday about the timing of that day...what were they told on the weather, what did they think would happen, when did they decide to leave and did they have time to take anything? Did they assume they would be able to return or did they have a feeling in their gut that said this one was bad?

In the home that I was at yesterday, the home owner came to unlock the door but then didn't stay long. We didn't get a chance to talk - maybe she wanted it that way. We were told that most people are wanting to talk to volunteers but some just aren't ready to. Even after 4 years, the wounds are still raw.

The entire home was sheetrocked (my contractor friends are knowing this is not my area of expertise with the spelling and wording). It had already been taped and mudded. Our job was to sand. We did this, in a house that was just opened up for us, with no electricity, for almost 5 hours.

It was another bonding experience for folks on our group. We all got together last night for worship and talked about our experiences. The other groups went to other sites. The acknowledgement of other's work and drive of everyone on the team regardless of age was amazing to hear. It makes me feel very proud to be part of such an effort.

Be thankful for where you live and what you have. Help your neighbor when you can. It is a wonderful warming feeling.

First post from New Orleans

This is going to be short as I don't have a lot of time.

The drive here took 3 days. I was most concerned about this for myself. I don't think I travel well. We have 36 people across 5 mini-vans. We have 2 drivers for each van and 7 people in each van. Close quarters for sitting along with our baggage. The point is to get to know each other - yea - that happened!!

I am happily surprised that the drive is actually fun! Yes there were some unexpected things that came up (some of the vans going a different way or some stopping for gas and nature breaks at different times) but all these things were sorted out. Taught me a lot about dealing with things and being flexible instead of having every detail laid out and expecting it to work out only that way.

We were housed by 2 churches on the way down. Many families opened up their houses for us for a place to sleep as well as providing us lots of food for our stay and journey the next day. Unbelievable hospitality!!

Today was sight seeing day in New Orleans - I think we were in the French Quarter.

We start work tomorrow...first around the volunteer shelter where we are staying then Monday we'll be going to the 9th Ward.

It's time for worship so I have to go...thanks for all your interest and prayers!!!

How are you being called?

Again…it happened! The universe sent me this same message…again.

One of the discussions  in preparation for the UBC Mission trip to New Orleans is around the verse from Isaiah 6:8 “I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”  There is also a really nice song about this same verse that I love!  The following is inspired by the topic today from The Upper Room Daily Devotional Guide. I continue to give thanks to my angel friend who leaves a new book on my desk every other month!

Will you be a player or a spectator in the game of life?

Saying yes to being a player in life isn’t always easy. It might not be easy when it takes us out of our comfort zone.

Saying no is easy. But what if God said no to us as many times as we say no to God?

Saying yes to God and being active in God’s work helps us grow spiritually. This doesn’t necessarily mean being seen and heard. All of us can serve in quite and humble ways known only to God. We have many opportunities to do so. Discipleship means being a servant and, as Jesus showed us, putting others ahead of ourselves.

Prayer: God, please help me to be a disciple who is not merely a spectator. Amen.

Getting ready for a new adventure - Mission Trip to New Orleans

I am preparing for a mission trip with my church (Union Baptist Church in Mystic, CT) to New Orleans. This will be from July 29th through August 11th. Check back for more updates before and during this trip.

Sharing from a web site: Let life come

I frequently read www.greatday.com. Today’s message from this web site spoke to me.

I find it empowering to know that for the thoughts that I have, they are for a real reason…maybe a sign of things to come or things that are possible.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Let life come

Let life come, without striving to force it. Let life come, and it will unfold with great abundance.

The feeling you seek is already yours. If it was not, then how could you even know about it?

Allow that feeling to live and breathe and grow and flow throughout your life. The life you wish to experience is yours when you let go and let it be.

Listen to those little inspirations that quietly whisper. There is a reason why you hear them and feel their truth.

Act in harmony with what you know is right and what you know is best. Instead of struggling against what is, ride joyously and successfully along with life's continuously unfolding possibilities.

Let life come. And live the beauty as each new moment is born.

-- Ralph Marston

Eating, drinking, relationships & dancing

I can't believe tonight is my last night in Sofia! I had no preconceived plans or ideas about what this trip would be like. It's a good thing I didn't waste my time thinking or planning because I would have been way off base! This trip has been life altering for me. Everything about it has changed many parts of who I am, what I think about who I am, what I think about what I am capable of, what I think about people in another country, what I think about friends, co-workers, relationships. This trip has shown me the depth of the relationships in my life and the support and encouragement people have for me. I am so grateful and realize the power of relationships and the strength that they provide. I am sure I won't realize everything until I am home and even more over the days to come.

Being in a routine, although only for a week, has created some level of comfort. The hotel is very nice and the staff has been very helpful. Having breakfast in the same place to start the day has been nice. Going to the same office most of the days to see the same faces and build relationships and share information will lead this project to further success.

The last night here in Sofia was so enjoyable! Because of the culture here where meals are big social events, we spent 4 hours at dinner! I didn't even look at my watch during the evening. It didn't matter what time it was - I was having so much fun. The tables sit at least 12 people. We didn't see any small groups there tonight. The appetizers were out when we arrive. Everyone shares from a huge platter in the middle of the table. You can imagine how big the tables are if a platter to feed 12 people is in the middle yet there is enough room to have a plate in front of each person. We all helped ourselves to cut up vegetables, eggplant/pepper mix, yogurt/cucumber salad. All this was on top of huge pita bread. This you would rip a piece off and dip it in a seasoning/salt mixture. Glasses of water and red wine were constantly being filled. Time went by while everyone continued to eat and talk and drink. They cleared that platter to bring another one. At the same time, some beautiful sounding singers started their performance. Then there were drummers. Then some people started dancing. Anyone could join in. The platter that contained the dinner had sausage, chicken, pork, potatoes and grilled vegetables. Again, water and wine glasses were replenished. More performances and more dancing. The dessert tray was the same...huge and full of options. One inch squares of wonderful desserts each with their own toothpick for sampling.

I did have to dance! The music is very easy to dance to. I didn't realize that while I was dancing someone picked up MY camera to take a picture. I am glad they did.

What great memories on this trip! I will never forget the experience and the things I have learned about life (some many parts to name but lots of material for future blogs).

My trip will be coming to an end but my writing won't. I hope you keep reading here and in any other forum that I write in.

If you are having doubts about yourself, ask a good friend how they see your strengths and gifts. Really listen. Believe them then believe in yourself. Take action one step at a time. The quality of your life and what you experience can bring you such rewards.

As my trip started out with someone I met on the plane saying "This isn't a dress rehearsal". Do what you want to do. Don't intentionally hurt anyone along the way. Live your life with passion!

A message even without a church service

I had made plans last night to go to and attend the local church service. I found, in the hotel booklet, a Lutheran service in English! How excited was I? It said it was at 9:00 AM. Great! That forced me to have a normal evening and bedtime so I could get up at a reasonable hour with reasonable amount of sleep and leave time for a nice breakfast downstairs.

I enjoyed my evening knowing plans were in place and fell asleep pretty quickly around 12:00 midnight. I woke before the alarm that I had set for 7:00 AM. That gave me plenty of time to check email, take a shower, eat and walk to church.

You should know that I do not enjoy eating alone in a restaurant. I have done it quite a few times and I am not sure why, but it just doesn't feel comfortable. I can eat alone at home in my house, and completely enjoy it by the way, but eating out alone is a different story to me. Since I was going alone this morning to service, I assumed I would be eating alone. Okay. I got my head in a different space so I wouldn't feel so uncomfortable. There weren't any other guests at the restaurant yet. So not only am I eating at a table alone, I am the only one eating! I asked if I could sit outside. The hostess said the tables were not set up but she would be happy to set a place if I wanted to eat outside. I was grateful. That way I thought I could enjoy the weather and sounds of Sofia on a Sunday morning.

The setting of this patio is very pretty. The area is secluded from the streets with walls only high enough to block the view and trees to buffer the noise. But on a Sunday morning, there is much less hustle and bustle from a work day. I was able to hear more of the birds which is one of the things I was looking for. Along the back edge of the patio was a nice wooden fence that was lined with roses. Most of them were in perfect bloom and they were a very pretty color.

I made sure that I took the time to enjoy eating my food and not hurry through the meal so I could just leave. The fresh squeezed orange juice is wonderful! There are machines at the local grocery stores (and assuming in the restaurant too) that make this juice. Mentioning again from my post about the food, that they eat well here. Nothing is added to the orange juice. I had a cup of coffee (there are some things I am not changing just because I am in another country!!). I do have my coffee with milk or cream because guess what, they don't have Coffee Mate fat free french vanilla here! I took some mushrooms, tomatoes (cut in half and grilled), scrambled eggs and a couple pieces of bacon. The food is in buffet containers as you would expect but it isn't piping hot...in fact it isn't really very warm. I was enjoying the simplicity of the food and beverages and the colors of the roses and sounds of the birds. I was relaxing and thankful that I was making positive changes about my attitude of eating alone. It turned out to be a nice experience.

I was looking forward to walking to church. I came back upstairs and did a few things and then decided it was time to start my next journey. I had to walk under the boulevard (underground stairs to walk under the busy street). There weren't many people around which was okay. People were walking their dogs, others were going somewhere else. I was conscious about how I was carrying myself and pretending I had a clue where I was going and not looking like a lost tourist! No one approached me so I guess I did okay. The tunnel was quiet. There were shops there but all were closed since it is Sunday (I miss that about home. I remember when stores weren't open on Sunday.) There was a lot of graffiti on the walls too - more than what is around the streets we have driven on. There were many points to take the stairs up so I took the first set I found. Hummm...not far enough. I was still on the same side of the street but in the next "lane" so to speak to catch a trolley maybe. So I go back downstairs and take the next set of stairs up. Would you guess? Not far enough. Now it was in a different "lane". I go back downstairs. I am laughing to myself. I didn't know I was going to get some exercise in on my trip-walking up and down stairs is good exercise and I looked good too in my church outfit! I finally go up the set of stairs that brings me to the other side of the boulevard :-) Now to find the street that the church is on. The brochure in the hotel is in English. The signs on the buildings and streets are in Bulgarian. Feeling a little lost and unprepared. I continue on and pray along the way for a divine nudge to go the right way.

I do end up finding A church. That was too easy. I walk in and hear male singing in a language that I don't recognize. I am a little confused and besides the brochure said the service was on the 2nd floor. There isn't an upstairs to this place that looks like it is what I am looking for. The church is very detailed inside. It is small and has maybe 20-30 tall wooden chairs. People are coming in and going out and performing some routine things like walking to the center and kneeling, blessing themselves and kissing whatever it was in front of them. A few people did this. Others came in with sticks. I watched a few people take their sticks and put them in an area where others were lit...kind of a candle area. I am not sure what it was for. So clearly I am not in the place I planned to be so I left.

I walked a little further and found a street sign that looks like what I wanted. I followed along until I got to the house number 4. Hummm...doesn't look like a building that would have a service in it and besides the iron gates were locked. My feet hurt because I have my heels on. It's warm out and I am starting to sweat. I am now sad. Should I have gone with someone? I think no because it wouldn't have turned out any different up to this point.

I asked a few people if they spoke English. They said no. I walked across the street to the 345 store (this is a local chain of market/grocery store). I asked again if someone spoke English. She said no but she motioned to me to follow her because someone else did. Good! Now I can ask where the church is. The cashier was the one I asked about the church. She pointed to the church I just came from. I explained further that I was looking for an English service but she said she didn't know of one. Now I am almost in tears! I leave the store and plan to go back to my room and sulk!

As I am leaving, a man calls to me. He spoke a little English and asked me what I was looking for. I told him and he motioned to follow him. He pointed me in the direction of another street and told me the Lutheran church was down a few doors in the right. I wasn't convinced but I was hopeful. I walked to where he pointed me to and sure enough...there it was! There was even an English sign with the name of the church! The entrance had iron gates as do most of the houses/buildings along the street. The one that looked like the entrance was locked. Had I missed it? If you are late, do they lock you out? I tried another gate. It too was locked! What was this message? I saw a sign in Bulgarian but it had numbers on it - I figured it was clock times. 10.45 and 11.45...okay. There goes that plan as I had made plans with the group to go sight seeing at 11:00 this morning.

So I didn't get to go to church service as planned but I did grow and I know God was with me. I felt protected. I did this planning and journey alone. I found the church. I saw some of the neighborhood where people lived. I was happy at what DID happen...even without a church service.

Lessons are in the journey.

It isn't always about the destination.

A little about the people and food in Sofia

Today is Saturday. Yesterday was a very long work day and things went very well! The team of folks we are working with are outstanding! They are young, smart, passionate, committed, eager to learn, and young (I know I already mentioned that)! We met the co-founder of the company and other management people. It's one of those environments where the co-founder knows the details of the work and is approachable. There isn't a lot of corporate stuff between the layers of management. It is very professional yet very comfortable.

Dinner last night was wonderful! We are trying to figure out why the people here are mostly very thin. There is a lot of walking (being a busy city where driving is only for the very brave) and food is everywhere. We are thinking its the kind of food and how it's cooked that keeps people thin. It's very tasty but must not be from additives like we have. They use lots of seasonings and the ingredients themselves are tasty. There seems to be a balance of fruits, vegetables, potatoes and meats. And the desserts - yum! The thing about eating is that I am not feeling totally bloated after - even though I am eating very well. It may also be about portion size - the plates are heaping like we expect at home.

Sofia hasn't gotten strict about their public smoking. There is smoking in most places. Restaurants have a smoking and non-smoking section. I remember when we had the split and the non-smoking section was better but not that great. It's that way here. I can smell the smoke but I am not as effected (headache wise) as I thought I would be. It must be all the walking and being outside in the air.

I think the people here are very attractive and thin for the most part. They look like they take a lot of pride in how they dress and attend to their hair and makeup. Like I mentioned before, they are very social. There's lots of couples walking and holding hands. I haven't seen a lot of people walking around alone.

The driving here is only for the brave. I seems like a game to most to see how close they can get without hitting the next car...ahead of them or next to them. They do use their turn signals, which is good, and then they go (change lanes). The cars are not clean like home but they aren't dented up either. It's interesting to me. I look at the driving, speed, stop and go, lane changing and expect to see damaged cars but I don't. The parking is new to me...along the street, along the sidewalk, on the sidewalk - 2 wheels of the same side of the car and some backed onto the sidewalk. I'll have to take some photos of the cars and parking. It makes me chuckle.

It's a different place here and I am seeing these differences. I am also noticing the similarities. This is their world and their life. It is good for them. They have families and friends and socialize and work and play and eat - just like us. They are other people living in the same world. We are connected in ways. I can feel that. I feel the same presence of my Lord here as I do at home. I feel stronger knowing that. I am grateful for seeing other areas of His work.

Slow start

It's Friday morning here around 7:30 AM. I feel different this morning - compared to yesterday morning. I slept longer for sure but am not sure I am ready to wake up. I believe a shower and warm cup of coffee will work fine.

Last night was wonderful! I had a very nice time at dinner, trying new food and sharing great conversations with some new friends. I was excited when I got back to my hotel. It took me a while to "wind down" despite it being around midnight local time. I kept on the local schedule anyway. Once I laid my head down, I fell right asleep!

I know I have a lot of work to do today. It may go easier than I expect once I get to the office and see what the team actually knows on a particular topic today. That would be a nice surprise if the day is easier than what I think. I am open to see how it goes.

I am grateful to have exchanged IMs with a good friend back home already this morning...she ending her day and me starting mine. We have become a global society and are always "on". Today I give thanks for that global connection...for the technology, the overlap in schedules (although late for her) and our friendship.

The photo is from yesterday morning. This is from my hotel window. It was a sunny day even though it doesn't look like it. I am facing north west I think so that's why the sun isn't shining on the mountain yet. I saw it from a closer view yesterday and it is amazing!

Have a wonderful day and take a moment to slow down, as I was feeling slow to the start of my morning, to notice and be grateful for the (global) connections you have.

Homesick? I made it NOT about me!

Today is day 3 into my trip. I still can't believe I am really in Bulgaria! I flew 7 hours to London in business class (wonderful experience and quite fun), two hour layover which went by fast because Heathrow airport is not easy to get around, then another 3 hours to Sofia in business class which seemed like regular size seats - they just fed us a lot of food. I met a really nice gentleman on the flight to London. We were meant to sit next to each other so I would be more relaxed and enjoy the experience...he travels all over the world, lives life to the fullest (life isn't a rehearsal he said), tries new things, does what he wants, owns his own company, is married with a 3 year old son, survived a bad car accident and survived a rare tongue cancer. I don't know how old he was but in his 50s anyway. Yea - things happen for reasons. I guess I wasn't ready to think about anything except what I was going through myself so I needed a distraction. It worked.

We had a long day today. I woke up at 3:30 am! It was actually nice-after I decided to go with it. I wasn't tired nor irritated that I didn't sleep long. I did some reading and some writing. It was actually relaxing.

Work was very productive and I met a lot of new people! All of these folks are learning something new - I am part of a team who taught them and have been working with them for the past couple of months. It is neat to see them working and executing using their new information. The day went by very quickly since we were so busy with more detailed training based on issues that came up. I love doing this type of work!

There was a point this afternoon when I thought I was going to crack...a little bit of being tired, a little bit of jet lag, a little bit being hungry and a little bit of missing home. I felt this overwhelming feeling like I wanted to tap my heels together 3 times and be home. I had enough and wanted to be back to normal. But I thought "I can't do that. I am here. My job isn't finished. I can help these people more so they can do a better job of understanding the work and deliver higher quality." It took me a few minutes but I was able to calm myself down and refocus. That isn't to say that I wasn't tired and hungry and missed home and wanted to be with my boys because I was feeling all of these things. And I acknowledged that. Then I thought about the team of people who I can help, and that we would be going out to a nice restaurant for dinner, and others were feeling the same way about wanting to be home.

I don't know much about jet lag except that it's hard to explain what it feels like and now I think I understand that. I was "off" today for a bit. Tired but not sleepy. Thinking but not focusing. Edgy but not irritated.

I have a mission and I know I am blossoming every hour I am here. Having people talk to me about a particular topic or share an experience at the right time, reading certain text at certain times, experiencing situations that force me to work through new feelings and find the tools to succeed are all part of my experience. Staying connected and having people be in touch is very encouraging for me! I am not doing this alone. I am never alone.

Be very careful...how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity...do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.
-Ephesians 5:15-17

Thought for the Day

Today I will pay attention to God's nudges.

Hello from British Airways Lounge

Hi there - I am at JFK in the Lounge for Business class folks! Such a nice place where everything is peaceful and free! The ride here was uneventful. We had a great driver who made it a relaxing ride. The dining area will be opening soon as well as the spa. Since the food and the spa are included in the price of the airfare, guess I'll have to experience both!

There have been so many people who have helped me in more ways than they know up to this moment! I want to thank all of them. My realization yesterday morning was that I am ready. I can make decisions with new adventures and trust myself that my choices are good ones. I can take the action that what I feel is best and I am okay with the results. I am to recognize situations and opportunities that are in front of me and know they are there because I am ready to experience them. I will continue to follow my gut, listen to my inner voice and feel those divine nudges to help me decide what my actions will be. The important point is for me to recognize the choice, listen for the divine push, act and be okay with the results.

So here I go acting on just that, the inner feeling to say yes to this trip and all the responsiblities and experience that comes with it. Knowing that others see me as qualified to perform the tasks, believe that and act on it.

Thanks again to those who have contributed to my personal and professional growth! I hope it is meant that I can return the favor some day (or have already).

Counting down

A good friend described it perfectly...the waiting is sometimes the worst part. I think I am as ready as I am going to be for my trip to Bulgaria. I have money, I have clothes, I have all those little travel items. I am waiting for Monday to actually pack it in my suitcase. Then Tuesday will be those last minute things that get thrown in.

The great part is the work that I am going to do while I am there is already in my head (I have been doing it for quite a few years) and anything that I need to explain will just come up. I love explaining things to people! I really like programming so the QC steps that I'll be enhancing/putting in place will be fun. There aren't any scary presentations or new things I have to learn about the tasks. There isn't anything I have to sell or pitch to anyone. It's all in what I already know and then participating in any discussions that come up. I can do that!

I have made a list of appointments for the next week - really more for me than for my husband! They know what is on the calendar. They are able and willing to cook for themselves (they do most of that when I AM home!!). There have been quite a few people who have offered to help them out while I am gone. It is very nice to know that friends are making themselves available if the need arises.

Banking and other logistics for my trip

Who knew there were so many things to do before traveling? I am learning all about them! There's work money and do you get it now or later and if you get it now do you get it in US dollars or in the foreign currency. How much to get? Are there banks or ATMs near where you are staying? Are they "good"? What are the charges for performing these transactions?

Well, today I think this will be pretty much wrapped up. I'll have money that I need both personal and business. I'll get some foreign money sent to me on Monday (which is already in the works) so no further action required by me.

The airline has a web site where you can register your passport and flight. It is supposed to make the boarding process smoother and quicker. Okay. I did that. I still have to print out a boarding pass within 24 hours of my flight - hey now there is something I now how to do!!! I made myself a reminder - not like I have been thinking about ANYTHING except this trip so I shouldn't forget!

Also, register with the state...United States? Some web site that can have on record that you are traveling to another country. Its a good thing to tell someone other than family. Okay. I did that.

My cell phone isn't built for international calls so I'll be bugging those I am traveling with to call home from time to time. That's nice of them. I don't remember anyone at Sprint asking me about where I travel to and that the phone I bought won't work outside the country! No bother - this may not happen too many more times.

I am charging my iPod and camera over the weekend. I think my iPod can't be charged since I don't have iTunes on my work laptop and I don't know how to do it any other way. I'll survive and maybe the battery will as well. I have an adaptor so I can recharge the camera batteries and my laptop.

I went to the store yesterday to get those convenient travel size items...small mouthwash, facial wipes, hand sanitizer, shampoo, etc. I figure size matters and these things are perfect size to carry on the plane with me so I am not stuck if my luggage doesn't make it to my destination at the same time I do.

I'll post more another time on the emotional items for this trip! I am getting a lot of experience on working to LIVE IN THE MOMENT! Things are being taken care of in one way or another and I have to trust that. So for other life events that happen between now and the hour that I leave, I am working to BE PRESENT for so the trip doesn't take me longer than one week away from home.

Forteen Years of Joy

We usually have 2 birthday parties for my son...one for family and one for his friends. He turned 14 this year. The parties were on different weekends. The partying is over now but the warmth is still in my heart.

I have reflected on May 23-24, 1995 annually. I have to chuckle on what I thought at the time (from what I remember). I was so tired and big! I was so ready for it to be over. But at the same time, I didn't want my pregnancy to end. It was known. I was tired and big - and I knew how to deal with that.

I am glad that life keeps going and moving us through experiences. I was so glad to see my son and start living my life WITH him and interacting with him instead of just nurturing him on the inside.

He has grown to be such a wonderful young man. So many experiences. He has taught me more than I was expecting. That's the cool thing and I hope I am wise enough to continue to view this journey as a give and take experience.

Travel Plans Secured

Well, it's really going to happen! My plane and hotel reservations were purchased late last week. I am really going to Sofia, Bulgaria!!! I am very excited and so grateful for the people who are coming forward and sharing all kinds of helpful travel hints :-) I am listening to them all and will incorporate those that make sense to me.

I have already started making a 'pack this' list. Not all good ideas that I have come under pressure. So when I am thinking about something, it has to be written down else it will just fall out of my head!

I know the trip will go by fast. I am looking forward to the reflection time when I return and see how things turned out either as I expected or things that happened very differently. Regardless, it will all be the experience I am meant to have at this point in my life.

Don't Play With Your Food!

Who remembers growing up and hearing an adult telling you NOT to play with your food? I do! Well now that I am an adult, I can do what I want :-)

I have always enjoyed finger foods. Pizza, chicken nuggets, chicken wings, chips, nuts, carrots and dip. The list goes on and on.

The truth is, most of the time, life is busy. I work full time and don't have a lot of time to cook a nice meal when I get home. So my husband and I try to eat as well as possible but that has results in things that cook quickly and get wrapped up. Something we have been eating often are those faux chicken nuggets from Morning Star in a wheat wrap with some salsa, lettuce, shredded cheese and anything else are in the mood for. Or it might be soup made with a couple cans of beans, can of diced tomatoes, low sodium vegetable broth and chicken sausage. Sometimes, we made grilled tuna melts on wheat english muffins. Simple and not too bad but it's getting pretty boring.

I recently hired myself a health coach. I have a couple of goals: create a new attitude towards exercise so that I am active most of the time and learn about new foods (or get reacquainted with old foods) and want to choose healthier foods more often.

She has given me some recipes that incorporate more greens into meals. I learned about kale! The couple of recipes I have tried were easy and they tasted good. In preparing kale, I need to pull the leaves off the stem and tear them into smaller pieces. I didn't think that touching food like this as I prepared it would be so much fun! I really am getting 'involved' in preparing dishes.

Next we moved onto grains. Guess what? The brown rice in the microwave bag that is ready in 90 seconds doesn't count! Yes, it's better than the flavored ones which are loaded with sodium but it's not as good as real rice that has to be soaked and cooked. The thing with making recipes with grains is going for the ingredients that are close to the source. I started with wheat berries. First, I had to learn what wheat berries were! I am glad my coach showed me the wheat berries before and after cooking. It took some planning but is something I think I can do from time to time. I soaked them overnight. Then the next morning I cooked them on the stove for 50 minutes. This is a far cry from the way we prepared foods before! After they cooled off, later in the afternoon, I made a very nice and easy wheat berry waldorf salad!

I have to say that I am having fun learning about new ingredients and learning what is healthier. I will make it to a whole foods store in the near future. I know myself and need to be introduced slowly to new things. With so many choices, I get overwhelmed easily. So I get very specific with an ingredient and one or two recipes and give it a try over a couple of weeks. I don't have to do everything all at once. I know my new habits will last longer if I am introduced to them slowly.

The Upcoming Adventure

It's hard to begin to describe what I am going through. I am being transformed by this new experience. If you told me 10 years ago that I would be traveling to another country I never would have believed you. Even a year ago, I wouldn't have believed you.

Well, I have the opportunity to travel to Sofia, Bulgaria in June!! This is for my corporate job. I have trained a group of people to do lots of things. The purpose of me being in Sofia is to be with them on "day 1" and ensure everything goes well. A few days before, we'll go over some last minute things. After that, I'll make sure they are doing everything correctly. I have done the training a few times before with other companies but from the comfort of my own desk. It's the travel thing that is totally new to me.

I have only traveled within the US and even then, I haven't gone very far or gone very often. I didn't really have the interest. But at this time in my life, I am being handed many things that are new to me! I have been doing a lot of self work and I feel like I am ready to accept these opportunities.

I have accomplished a few things up to this point. I have accepted this opportunity (after crying and stressing and wondering why) and am really excited about it. I have also applied for a passport. I have met the folks from the company and they are impressive. This is their specialty and they do it well.

Stay tuned for more posts here related to my growth in this area of my life and what I learn when I am in Bulgaria. I know I will be with good coworkers who I trust and with my God while I am traveling to and from. I will not be alone while I am seeing other areas of this world that God has created. My eyes, heart and mind are open.

Validation and triggers

Because I work very closely with databases and programming on a daily basis, the words validation and triggers bring to mind something very different than what I am writing about today. This isn't a post of technical education but rather of self validation and triggers that are received or put in place to help accomplish a task.

I have been thinking, again, about how I can write and post more frequently. I had a discussion with myself (some people have witnessed this and get quite concerned - ha ha ha). I asked myself the question, which I have asked myself before, do I find value in writing and posting? Is it beneficial for others; those people who I am serving? The universe replies with a loud 'yes'! Friends who read my posts, newsletters or emails tell me (when I need to hear it most) they are inspired by my words and wait patiently for the next release. Well, okay then. There's the validation for me to write!

Now what about those triggers? I know writing is something that I like to do and it is well received but how can I do it more often? What reminders or what kind of sticky notes do I need to keep me writing more often than I do now? I did write a blog about being okay with when I write and post. And as I go through this situation, I am reminded that I accept what I am able to accomplish and to celebrate when I do write.

What I am feeling that goes along with that is consistency...what do the people who I am serving need? What is my posting frequency saying? Do I want to create a sense of curiosity and surprise my readers or do I want to create a more consistent action of showing up?

After some further thinking, it might be true for me in this situation that I am working through some self doubt. I hold back being myself because I am just not sure what others will think. I am chuckling to myself as I write this. Not to deviate too far, I signed up to receive a weekly email from a highly respected life coach that I know. I just received Week 8 issue this morning. It's title is Who Cares What Others Think!! Coincidence? I think NOT! This is a huge message just for me and to guide me and support me in walking one step at a time down this path of writing.

One of the things noted in Who Cares What Others Think is so true after I think about it: It truly is none of my business what other people think of me, but it is my business what I think of ME! Everyone has their own opinion which is based on a whole bunch of stuff that lead them to this moment. Everyone WILL have an opinion of what I do and not everyone will find what I write valuable. However, there is someone, even if the only person is me, who finds value in what I do!

Week 8's message ends with this: The confidence and energy I gain from letting go of what others think will make me most attractive to others. Hummm...that's a warming thought :-)

I am posting this today for me. I like it. I find value in it. I am being myself. I know this will touch someone. I may never know who and how...and will continue to write because I know I will receive messages of some sort to reinforce to me that I am doing the right thing. I will watch for those triggers which will help me keep on task.

To sign up for Pam's 10 week email course, go to http://whatswithinu.com/supercharge/.

Test for importing story to Facebook

This is a test...bare with me :-)

Your attitude can change everything

I went to work (corporate job) on Monday morning with an overwhelming feeling and seeing a busy morning schedule with back to back meetings where I was doing more than just showing up. I was presenting and leading the meetings. This is becoming the norm (which I am not liking). Since I usually look at Monday mornings as new beginnings, I decided to refocus my energy and thoughts on the others in the meeting instead of myself. I decided that I wouldn't worry about how busy my day was and what I had to do but instead cleared my mind of everything except for what I had to do for that meeting time. I took the focus off of myself and my concerns and worked to be present for the topic at hand.

The change happened immediately and I had to chuckle to myself as I watched things unfold in front of my eyes! I had a slower more patient pace in my speaking. The flow of my words seemed to sound more efficient. I listened for the progress the members of the meeting had made on the project to this point and I acknowledged them for coming so far in such a short period of time. I could hear them smiling in their voices (they were on the phone). The overall energy and attitude was very positive and very comfortable.

I did have another meeting right after that one (in person meeting) and I tried the same approach - to be thinking of the people present and the topic at hand for the time being. I was able to think clearer and not be distracted by incoming emails and thinking about the rest of my day. The meeting was very productive.

I had 2 more meetings that day with breaks in between. I got quite a bit accomplished!

I had evening plans...I was having a home party (wine tasting and jewelry combined). Initially I was worried (for the past few days I might add) about who would be there and how it would go with a combined presentation and how parking in my driveway would turn out. With these thoughts, I knew I wouldn't be able to "be present" and enjoy myself. So it was a very conscious decision to be okay with the way it turned out - whatever that looked like, whoever showed up, who didn't, who bought what and so on. I decided that everyone is adults and everyone is responsible for their own actions! I can only be responsible for my attitude and I saw how it changed everything!

I can only change myself

I have been quite frustrated the past couple of weeks. I haven't felt like myself. I felt like I was paddling the canoe upstream. Things weren't right. I kept looking for who or what was causing me to feel like this. I started seeing lots of things that I didn't like! Why couldn't people just be "something"? Why couldn't people just do "something"? When was "that" going to change to what I wanted? Ever ask yourself these questions? I did!

I was expecting other people and circumstances to be to my liking and since they weren't, I kept waiting for them to conform and getting more and more frustrated when life wasn't meeting MY expectations. I can have a very serious conversation with anyone about NOT having high expectations of people or even expecting people to share opinions and values. I got lost in the day to day and forgot that my own ego and my own expectations lead down a road to disappointment, frustration and anger.

When I finally took a moment and asked "what is wrong with this picture and how can I fix it?" and was open to an answer that was either about the situation, the other person, or ME, that's when I got it. The answer came in multiple ways - I think the universe really wanted me to hear this!

I felt a quiet confirmation within myself that I had been too hard on lots of things (and people) in my external environment. I got a newsletter from someone who I hadn't heard from in quite some time who wrote about not putting my happiness into someone else's hands.

So what do I do with this information? First, I will forgive myself for getting off track!! I am human. I am on a personal journey to be a better human being; to be the best woman/wife/mother/coworker/daughter/sister that I can be. I will make mistakes and that's okay.

Second, I will be grateful to recognizing that I went off track! More of being okay with what happened while I am on my journey. Now I can start doing the right thing.

Third, I will be more patient with myself and slow down! It isn't always about me. Sometimes it is good to be an observer...just watch or listen. Lots can be learned when we are in observation mode.

Fourth, I will be more patient with others! Everyone is on their own journey and road of awareness. I want people to be patient with me and not expect to change me and I should do the same with them and with situations.

My actions

• I can take stock in myself and be grateful for where I am today.

• I can be the best person that I can be today and be comfortable and satisfied with that.

• I can go to sleep at night knowing that I did the best I can do.

• I can have patience with myself and others.

• I can be grateful for everything (no matter how little it may seem) that I have and that I am today.

Today is a new day. I feel better...less stressed. I am taking action on doing what I can do to improve myself and make it the best day that I can. I am doing what I know will bring me a sense of accomplishment. Others may follow. Maybe it's not time for them yet. I will be patient with others. I will not be a follower and sit back and wait for others to lead my happiness. I will define my happiness for today. I will know at the end of the day that I have done my best.

• You choose your attitude every day. What are you choosing today?

• Take how you feel about yourself and your day into your own hands. What are you grateful for today?

• Partner with someone who can gently poke you when you are "off track". Ask them to help you be the best you can be.

Choose to create the best day today!

The Strength of Character - Courage

I am ready with my summary of chapter 1. The time since the first note on this book and now was longer than I planned but it is all in line with things that I am learning. I had expectations of more frequent mailings and I thought summarizing each chapter would be easier. Truth is I am thinking too much about what you think of my summary. So what I am learning is I need to follow my heart, and write from my heart, and what people take away from it will be what it is. I believe that it's all about timing. I am not here to move everyone to live a better life...just those who are ready to do so.

Now that I am respecting myself, not worrying about the outcome of my work and using a little bit of courage, I will continue to share my thoughts on the book The Strength of Character when the time feels right.

Courage - To walk by faith requires courage

Heroes have courage. People who do unbelievable things have courage. Does everyone have courage? Do we use courage in every day things?

To help me get my head around words that I have built up my own meaning of over decades, I have been looking the words up in a dictionary. I have gone back to basics and found a technique to help me be more successful. This simple action has given me the chance to forget what didn't work for me in the past, create a new attitude about the topic and redefine where I stand today. It has empowered me to move forward with a given area.

Definition of Courage

The quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc without fear; bravery to act in accordance with one's beliefs, especially in spite of criticism.

Life takes courage

Is it uncomfortable to be different?
Is it more comfortable to blend into the woodwork?

Some greatest fears -
• being ostracized/rejected by "the group"
• look foolish
• being talked about
• being misunderstood

Life takes courage. As noted in this book, four thoughts to help bolster your courage.

1. I am responsible.
2. I must not forget - we must not forget the Lord and what He has done for us
3. I am accountable - to God
4. I get my standard and security from God

What helps bolster your courage?

Being vs. Doing

What we want to do is not nearly as important as what we want to be.

Doing is usually concerned with a vocation or career - how we make a living.

Doing is tied with accomplishments and tangible things like salary and trophies.

Being is much deeper. It relates to character; who we are and how we make a life.

Being, intangibles, is much of which can't be measured by objective yardsticks and impressive awards.

Bite Size Pieces - Consistently

Gumption. Again, what is the definition?
• Initiative, aggressiveness, resourcefulness.
• Courage, spunk, guts.
• Common sense.
• Being disciplined one day at a time.

So how do we use courage, and it's redefinition and new light, in our lives?

Rather that focusing on the whole enchilada, take it in bite size chunks. Create a plan, no matter how small or large, into manageable pieces. Haven't you been asked how does one eat an elephant? One bite at a time, of course.

How do you ...
...write a book? Do so one page at a time.
...run a marathon? Run those 26+ miles one step at a time.
...master a new language? Try one word at a time.

You get the point.

There are 365 days in the average year. Divide any project by 365 and none seem all that intimidating. It will take daily discipline, not annual discipline.

Think of how you would work best with creating reminders for yourself to execute daily this new way of being courageous. Is it yellow sticky notes? Is it a reminder on your computer? Is it someone to help hold you accountable?

Set yourself up for success on any project or new habit to make small steps towards your goal. Be reasonable (yet challenging yourself when necessary) in the size of the task. You can do it!

Quotes from this chapter

"Even if your day is shadowed by fear or uncertainty, God is with you...as close as your heartbeat, as near as your next breath."

"Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart" ~1 Samuel 16:7

Today

Today is unique! It has never occurred before and it will never be repeated.
At midnight, it will end quietly, suddenly, totally. Forever.
But the hours between now and then are opportunities with eternal possibilities.

What keeps you up at night?

Would you share with me what keeps you up at night? What are some of the things you really want?
You are a valuable part of my life journey and building my business! I appreciate your comments.

Janina

www.janina-goldberg.vpweb.com - go here to read previous versions of newsletters and notes from other chapters from this book

Letting go

Words from The Strength of Character by Charles R Swindoll

What lessons can you learn when you find yourself in a predicament?

Maybe the only solution to your predicament is a miracle.
What should your response be?
When we reach the end of our tether, we finally cry out, "God, help me!"
And God says, "I will. Let go."

Letting go works against human nature. But God wants us to do just that - to free fall into His everlasting arms and trust completely in Him.

It's all a part of His plan.

~Have a blessed day!

Great perspective on stress

Stress

A lecturer when explaining stress management to an audience, raised a glass of water and asked 'How heavy is this glass of water?'
Answers called out ranged from 20g to 500g.

The lecturer replied, 'The absolute weight doesn't matter. It depends on how long you try to hold it.

If I hold it for a minute, that's not a problem.
If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my right arm.
If I hold it for a day, you'll have to call an ambulance.

In each case, it's the same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes.'

He continued, 'And that's the way it is with stress management. If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later, as the burden becomes increasingly heavy, we won't be able to carry on. '

'As with the glass of water, you have to put it down for a while and rest before holding it again. When we're refreshed, we can carry on with the burden.'

'So, before you return home tonight, put the burden of work down. Don't carry it home. You can pick it up tomorrow. Whatever burdens you're carrying now, let them down for a moment if you can.'

So, my friend, Put down anything that may be a burden to you right now....

Don't pick it up again until after you've rested a while.

Here are some great ways of dealing with the burdens of life:

* Accept that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue.

* If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.

* The second mouse gets the cheese.

* Birthdays are good for you. The more you have, the longer you live.

The universe is sending me messages :-)

I love it when I have my eyes open and I get signals that I am doing the right thing! I was on the phone 2 weeks ago for one of my coaching classes and I was talking about taking my idea of a women's support group further. I had a "kick off" with a pot luck and we watched the first episode of Oprah's new life series. We learned about putting ourselves back on our to-do lists. That was a great time and I wanted to talk about how I could keep it going and do a good job to benefit both the attending women and myself.

This other coaching student referred me to Cheryl Richardson's web site. She is a life coach and has lots of experience - and has written a book - on forming groups and how to run them so they are successful. On her web site I noticed this book called The Art of Extreme Self Care. It sounded like such a great book that I bought it for myself.

As soon as I get this book and start reading it, a friend from work sends me a link to Cheryl's segment on Good Morning America! She did ran a group there (I don't know how long it was) but the video clip showed her interacting with some of the women and common issues we face in always saying YES and spreading ourselves too thin and not taking care of ourselves.

Amazing the trail that I have been on with talking about this support group, heading to Cheryl's web site, ordering her book and then having someone in my support group (who didn't know about this person/book otherwise) send me a video clip of her and her work! It's meant to be! I am so excited and sure now that this is something I should be doing :-)

Oh - and loving that I posted twice today from my corporate job! Capturing the emotion of the topic in the moment! I love it!

Great ideas at strange times

I am so excited! I usually get some great ideas just as I am falling asleep - after I have cleared (most) of the noise from my head. Last night was no exception. I have been wondering how to be able to post more frequently. I carry around a small notebook in my pocketbook but don't always think to jot down something in it and if I do write down a thought, I don't always look at it again for a while. So good idea - not able to execute on my desired timing.

My idea last night about how to blog more regularly came with the thought to try to log into my blog page from my corporate job. Shhhhhh. I don't think this is totally wrong because I won't abuse it, it won't be for hours on end, and it will be to benefit myself and those who follow my post. So win/win all around :-)

I am laughing because I didn't even write this idea to try out down. What I normally do when I have an idea in bed is to get up and write it down else I am fearful that I will forget it. But this idea was SO good that I didn't write it down and I didn't forget about it :-)

So this works great! I know I have more opportunity for ideas to write while I am at my corporate day job - it's just the environment plus the people are great.

Look for more frequent and varied postings from this day forward. I am so excited to have asked the question, been provided a solution, heard the solution and acted on it! So many wins! How will I celebrate??

Be grateful for the little things and make it a great day!

Time Well Spent

I have been doing a lot of reading and thinking lately. I have noticed I haven't posted since January. I am okay with that. I have been reading some other blogs and getting comfortable with how I am on my own track; my own time line; my own journey. I am learning to let go of what looks good (posting daily or on an exact schedule) and just be me and post when it feels right.

Some of the newsletters and blogs and books that I have been reading are filling my mind with great information about self development and taking action. Since I am a life coach, these are perfect topics for me to be learning about. We all learn something new all the time. It should be our goals to develop ourselves. I have been seeing a lot of signs from my angels and God that I am going in the right direction. It is a real comfort!

I'll be posting some things in the near future. It will be part of my exercise to accept myself as I am.

Finding gratitude in how others show their love

Do you recognize those small things that a loved one does for you? When they notice that you need a little space-even though they don't get what you're going through. When they do things just so you don't have to?

To recognize the love language of a spouse is magical! I think my husband and I have some great things that overlap and are in common (that's a great thing) but there are other things about us that are totally opposite. How I feel loved can be different from how he feels loved. It took me a long time to realize this and know that it is okay.

I have come to embrace this "communication" between us. I had a rough day yesterday (rough for me is relative - I have a positive outlook and things usually go without major events). I was stressing about a couple of calls that were on my calendar for last night and should I be on them vs sitting quiet with my family watching the recording of the first episode of LOST. Once I made the decision AND THEN ACCEPTED my decision, I was able to relax a little. Then I made a decision to simplify my morning and NOT go to the office for a mtg - instead call in. That meant I didn't have to get in the shower first thing and I could sit with a cup of coffee and my bowl of oatmeal. That sounded good to me last night.

So while I was sitting next to my husband watching LOST, he knew I needed a little TLC. I just wasn't myself. And even though I told him the craziness that was in my head, which I am sure he didn't get what the big deal was about, he supported me and tried to comfort me anyway. Because he loves me. Another great thing he did that I am grateful for is he turned on the Innertalk CD on Sleeping Soundly that is in the CD player next to our bed. He thought to do this on his own and he hugged me before we fell asleep and said "I thought this would help you".

My morning has been awesome! I slept well and am relaxed and ready to be present for the rest of the tasks for today. Yes I still haven't showered but it doesn't matter. I am going for a walk after my telecon/meeting and that will be good for me.

I am grateful for Fred's love language and how he wants to fix things for me. I am also grateful that I am not always too caught up in my own head to miss the efforts from my best friend!

Think about how differently people can express their love for you. What do you notice? Does it bring a smile to your face? I would love to know your experiences if you want to share.

Make it a great day and notice how someone else expresses their love for you :-)

Contest - giveaway - Pottery Barn "outdoor spaces" book

My good friend, Jennifer, is having a contest to giveaway this great book: outdoor spaces by Pottery Barn. Hurry, you have until Sun Jan 25th to enter!!

The book has sections on Dining, Cooking, Playing and Entertaining Outdoors and it has many beautiful decorating ideas.

Go to her blog on Savor The Thyme and see the things to do to enter this giveaway: http://savorthethyme.blogspot.com
The entry was posted on Sunday Jan 18th. This contest ends Sun Jan 25th!

Good Luck!

Introduction to The Strength of Character

The name of the book is The Strength of Character - 7 Essential Traits of a Remarkable Life by Charles R Swindoll.

It is one of those pocket size books. It's a warm cranberry color with raised lettering on the front. The pages are a little thicker than normal and are a little shiny. It is a beautiful book!

My idea that I had is to post some points from this book for my friends to read. By telling you I am doing this is creating a sense of accountability for me as well.

Stay tuned for some excerpts from the book on Courage, Self-Control, Honesty, Determination, Unselfishness, Hope and Sincerity.

Happy 2009!!

Happy New Year!! I always get so excited at the start of a new year. I think about the things I have accomplished and learned in the previous 12 months and also think about the possibilities of the next 12 months.