Archive for Creating Wild AbunDANCE
Sometimes You Need an Adventure
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Yesterday I was feeling somewhat unmotivated and didn’t have my usual energy. The words I used were “like a slug”. Just didn’t seem able to get much accomplished.
By late afternoon my husband, Francis, was done with work. He doesn’t usually finish that early and so he wanted to take advantage of it. His idea was to go for a boat ride on the Chesapeake Bay. And he wanted me to go with him.
I felt I needed to stay home and “be productive” to make up for my rather non-productive day.
But he insisted. So off we went.
It started off lovely and very soon I was so glad I chose to get out of my office. By early evening there were so many boats out on the water. It was beautiful.
But then a storm rolled in. The sky got rather dark and you could hear the thunder in the distance. And it kept getting closer.
We decided to try to get back to the dock as quickly as possible. I have to say, it was rather exciting. We flew through the waves, staying just ahead of the storm, all the while keeping our eyes glued for crab pots. The sky continued to get darker and darker.
We were almost back when the sky opened up and the rains came. And it was heavy. Very heavy! Within seconds we were both soaked through.
Luckily there was no lightning, for which I was grateful. But it rained so hard it was difficult to see. Despite that, when I looked at Francis with water pouring off him I couldn’t help but laugh. He laughed too.
It was still torrential when we reached the dock, so we quickly took care of the boat and ran for the house and dry towels. We both felt exhilarated. I had been transformed from a slug to an energizer bunny. I felt so alive and energized.
It made me realize that we all need a bit of adventure now and then to get us out of our routine. And it doesn’t need to be something huge. For me, a simple boat ride out on the bay did the trick.
Today I still feel energized from it, and, yes, I’m getting things done 
So what do you need to do to add more adventure to your life?
Sometimes, it seems like a luxury, but taking time out to renew and revitalize us can actually lead to getting much more done in the long run. And it’s a lot more fun.
Why Affirmations Don’t Always Work!
Posted by: | CommentsIn a recent post I wrote about the law of attraction, and that whatever you put your focus on, you get more of.
To clarify, I was not talking about writing or saying affirmations. I think we’ve all tried that. You know… when you stick those million-dollar bills that you can buy for a few cents all over the ceiling above your bed so you see them first thing in the morning.
And the little sticky notes on the bathroom mirror, on the fridge, and all over your computer screen that read, “I am wealthy beyond imagination. All the money I need comes to me easily and in abundance.” All those reminders about how wealthy you are.
Then an unexpected expense shows up and you completely lose it. (Been there, done that!) Or you constantly worry about money. You hang onto things you don’t really need because you don’t want to let them go. You act in every way as if you were broke.
Where are you putting your attention? What are you really focusing on?
The universe doesn’t look at what you write down on those pieces of paper, or what you tell yourself 20 times or 20,000 times a day. It looks at what you base your actions on. It looks at what you are calling real by your thoughts, and words and actions…..then it gives you even more than of that!
The universe assumes that what you put your focus on must be what you want. Otherwise why would you be spending so much time thinking about it?
What you say you want and what you actually focus your attention on are not always the same thing!
So instead of focusing your energy on what you don’t want, focus instead on what it is that you do want. And amazing things can happen!
And when something comes along in life that doesn’t match your vision, don’t make a big deal of it. Tell yourself it is just an anomaly, and as soon as possible, get back to focusing on what you want.
Whatever You Put Your Focus On…
Posted by: | CommentsHave you ever noticed that whatever you focus on, you get more of?
When I was in my teens we lived in a cul-de-sac of about a dozen houses at the end of a fairly busy street. My brother Richard was flexing his boundaries and stayed out way past his bed time.
It was late, and the neighborhood was very quiet as he stealthily made his way along the street and up the path to our front door. All of a sudden, out of nowhere there was a cacophony. Lights snapped on, curtains swung open and shouts could be heard in the street.
Apparently, under the stress of thinking about what would happen if he was caught coming home so late, he forgot about the empty glass milk bottles standing like soldiers guarding the entrance to the front door. Normally, in the morning they’d be magically replaced with full bottles of rich, creamy milk.
He was so focused in his thoughts that he didn’t notice the milk bottles … until he walked right into them, and sent them crashing down the stone steps making enough noise to wake the whole neighborhood.
After he had been reprimanded by my mum, not just for being so late, but for making such a commotion, I asked him what happened. He said, “I don’t know. I was trying so hard to not make any noise. I didn’t want to wake anybody up, especially mum.”
He was so focused on what he didn’t want, and that was exactly what he created.
The subconscious mind doesn’t understand “didn’t” or “not”. It just notices where your attention is, and assumes that must be what you want more of. Otherwise, why would you be spending so much time thinking about it?
Have you ever looked at your life and wondered why it didn’t always match what you really wanted? Consider the possibility that what you say you want and what you spend your time focusing on may not always be the same thing. Whatever you put your focus on, you get more of!
Smile…
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I was recently taking a dance class and the combination we had to learn was very demanding. Everyone was having a hard time with it.
Then, just when I was beginning to get the hang of it, the teacher told us to reverse it. Yikes! I barely could get through it as it was, and now I had to switch the whole thing in my head. Every step, every gesture or arm movement that had been to the right was now to the left and visa versa.
I wasn’t the only one having trouble. All around the studio dancers were getting frustrated and there was at least one collision (luckily nobody got hurt).
But then, unexpectedly, and somewhat out of character the dance teacher told a brief but rather funny story of an on-stage collision that happened early in her career. Everyone was laughing.
Then she told us all to try the combination again. This time, everyone did it perfectly…. while still smiling.
Isn’t it amazing how something as simple as a smile can have such a positive impact?
So the next time you are feeling frustrated or stuck, try smiling. It might help you, too.
Let me know how it goes….
No Time For Play? Think Again.
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When you are feeling stressed out, how does that affect your creativity?
And I’m not just talking about the more obvious creative aspects of your work. But also think about your ability to deal with a challenging client or coworker.
Or being able to create enticing win win situations or joint ventures with other professionals.
Or how about coming up with new ways to serve your clients or customers that make you really stand out.
Or thinking up an unusual way of marketing yourself, an idea or a product.
Or even your ability to develop new work habits that make your life easier.
How, well do you do any of these things when you’re stressed out?
One way to open yourself up to being more creative is to simply break out of your normal habits for a short period of time. And a great way to break out of your routine is to bring some playfulness and spontaneity to your work environment. You will find that some of your most creative flashes will come when you are having fun, if you allow yourself!
Ann McGee-Cooper in Time Management for Unmanageable People wrote, “The more we work, the more tired we get, the less creative or open-minded we are, and the less we accomplish, so we get further behind and then we think we have no time for play.”
Isn’t that the truth!
So, think about some of the things that you loved to do as a child? The more wacky the better?
Is there any way you can incorporate any elements of those things into your workday? Especially on days that you know are going to be tough on you.
Taking time out to add fun and playfulness to your day WILL actually re-energize you, and get the creative juices flowing so that you actually get more done in less time. Try it!
Your Authentic Brilliance: The Ultimate Secret to Success
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In dance our core muscles are the deep muscles at the center of our being. By engaging them, everything else can be fluid and relaxed. You can hold a balance, or move with great speed when you are connected to your core.
What’s your core?
I believe it’s the essence of who you are. It’s the part of you that is always steady, even in a raging storm.
It’s that quiet place deep within where you are fully integrated with your values in every area of your life. And you are alive with a sense of purpose. Where you listen to your heart first and head second, and you allow your authentic brilliance to shine.
When you connect to that core, it’s easier to keep your balance, no matter how turbulent life gets.
So the core muscles of a balanced life are your purpose, your values and your natural gifts. That’s your true powerhouse, and just like the muscles of our body, they are all connected. When you base your on life these things… that is the ultimate secret to success.
Multitasking: Yes or No?
Posted by: | CommentsI’ve always prided myself on my ability to multitask, but now I’m thinking it might be a bit overrated. It seems that in some situations the more my attention is divided, the more stress it creates, and the less I get done.
Now that may not be true for you, but I would suggest that you pay attention the next time you are multitasking and honestly ask yourself if you’d get the work done faster if you just did each task with full attention.
You also might just find it less stressful like I did.
The Power of Joy
Posted by: | CommentsRecently my husband I and stopped at a small restaurant in our home town of Annapolis. The atmosphere was very cheery, and we couldn’t help but notice that the three women who were working there all seemed to be having such a good time. Even although the work was somewhat mundane they all had so much enthusiasm and joy.
Since then we have not only returned ourselves, but have told many people about it. And not because the food was so special (although it was quite good) but because it’s the kind of place you really enjoy going to.
Joy has that affect on you!
Sometimes I think that all those customer service trainings are missing the boat. If they just taught people about joy they’d probably save companies a lot of money and be much more effective.
We often think that joy is a feeling, and is conditioned by the situations that we find ourselves in. Yet I’m sure that we can all think of someone who seems to radiate joy, even when in the most trying of circumstances.
I believe that is because joy is not a feeling but a flow of energy that emerges from your inner Core. And even although people, situations, objects or events may evoke joy, they are not the source.
As a great teacher, Torkom Saraydarian said,
Joy is a state of beingness in which your consciousness is not conditioned by the environment or by the thoughts, emotions, and activities going on in your environment.
He went on to say that..
Joy brings vitality not only to your body but also to your thoughts, emotions, actions, expressions. You become full of vitality; you become a source of vitality in your environment.
These three women certain brought vitality to their environment.
So the next time you exprerience joy, stop and take the time to really feel it flow through your whole body. Drink it in. And remember, joy is not just a feeling, but a very magnetic state of being that you can access no matter what is going on around you.
Get Bigger About Who You Are
Posted by: | CommentsWe are living in an exciting time of great transformation. Old ways of being are rapidly falling apart and no longer work. Oh, so you noticed…
As a result, many people are feeling dissatisfied with their jobs, their careers, relationships… even their very way of life, and are searching for more.
So, if you are one of them, don’t worry, you are in good company.
The good news is, a whole new world of possibilities is emerging, and you are part of it. NOW is the time to Get Bigger About Who You Are, and step forth into your Magnificence!
Is it your time to create a life or a business that fully honors all of who you truly are? Are you ready for more joy, enthusiasm and wild abunDANCE? Would you like to fully express and manifest your Core Brilliance in all areas of your personal and professional life?
Your Core Brilliance is that place at the center of your being where you…
- are alive with a sense of meaning and purpose
- integrate your values and beliefs in all you do
- listen to your heart first and head second
- fully express your natural strengths, gifts and talents
- are clear, focused, self-assured and energized.
When you live from your Core Brilliance you are filled with vitality, joy and enthusiasm, because you are living in alignment with who you truly are.
And when you exude joy and enthusiasm you become like a magnet and attract the perfect people, circumstances and resources that you need to manifest your dreams.
