Heart n Soul

Breaking free of the chains that bind

2012-01-26T19:01:00.000-08:00

Isn't it funny, how we walk along in life and we sort of aquire things that try to hold us back...things that drag us down...and we don't realize how much it's slowing us down until one day, if we are lucky, we say "Enough of this crap!"and break free of it.

And the FREEING feeling...the letting go..the LIGHTNESS of it all....is just so amazing! Leaves space for new uplifting things and people to enter our world. Room for growth and liberation.

I just let go of something I had hung onto way too long and feel VERY RELIEVED today!
Have you ever gone through this "shedding" of the old? This removing the heavy chains that slowed you down? Do you do it often? Does each time bring you great new SPACE and OPPORTUNITIES?

Wishing you lots of tremendous freeing of all that holds you back!

Curl up in the Winter Garden! GREAT GREAT book !!

2012-01-23T06:42:00.000-08:00

So if you are like me and LOVE to read, Winter, Summer, Spring and Fall, and you like modern fiction mixed with a little romance ( nothing overkill ladies, this is not harlequin!) women facing situations and problems they strive to overcome and/or some historical fiction, I have to recommend Winter Garden.

I have read about 8 Kristen Hannah books thus far and she is my NEW favorite author!

I'll add that this book starts slow (all of the Amazon reviews agree) but about 1/3 of the way through it really changes and by half way through, I found it totally and completely riveting and didn't even want to put it down to cook dinner!( Cereal kids?)

Grab a cup for coffee or tea ( or a hot of vodka if you're feeling a bit Russian( hint )) and hang out in the Winter Garden. Enjoy! Comment if you real it OK?

Ready to rock out the New Year's resolutions?!

2011-12-27T07:42:00.000-08:00

Well, it's almost another New Year and so many of us are ready to make new RESOLUTIONS, reach for our dreams, make empowering lifestyle changes and commit to new ways of living.

Of course, some want to sit in the muck around them and make NO changes-just EXIST, rather than LIVE!!

Not everyone wants to jump off airplanes, scale large mountains and have 6 figure businesses!

But whatever YOUR personal goals are, I wish you much SUCCESS, much HAPPINESS and the ability to live in gratefulness and appreciation each and everyday.

As a Mom of 3 wonderful children, each day I wake, I thank GOD for my blessings and I work hard at being a better MOM, a better PERSON and to live mindfully and joyfully.

OF course, life can get to us, stress can put a damper on our days, but accepting it and moving through it is key right?

So raise YOUR glass and CHEERS to a prosperous and simply AMAZING New Year!!

On Christmas Eve- FANTASTICAL MAGICAL book for girls!

2011-12-19T18:06:00.000-08:00

If you have a daughter or special girl in your life- ages 7 to 11 or so, I HIGHLY recommend a wonderful book by Ann M Martin called ON CHRISTMAS EVE

It's for everyone who BELIEVES in the MAGIC of Christmas and who OPENS their hearts to receive that special Christmas joy that only comes once a year. I read it to my daughter last year and we are reading again and it's just such a great tradition.

Read it on Christmas Eve with YOUR girl too! Amazon has overnight shipping.
Merry Merry!

Hope that Christmas magic enchants your world too!

Maybe Christmas means a little bit more

2011-12-09T09:18:00.000-08:00

‎"Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before.
What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store.
What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.”

Oh, that wise wise Dr. Seuss!!!
Though I DO get my kids some pretty nice Christmas presents , I'm not one to spend major money and spoil the crap out of them either. Lego Mind Storms is about $299. My son wants it. I told him Santa doesn't have that kind of money and even if he did, it's not coming into THIS house until we buy it on e-bay for less.

I try to instill that Christms is not about just gifts. It's about sharing JOY with our families. Isn't it really?

It's about warmth and comfort and love and peace and the celebration of a certain birth.

For less than $20 last Saturday, we went to a fun outdoor Dickens festival. We roasted marhsmallows, walked the beautiful town, grabbed a pretzel, looked at the train show, the beautiful lights and some cool recycled items,browsed game stores,watched horses pull carriages( enjoyed that clip-clop!clip! clop!) visited Santa's workshop( an old fashioned house) and just had a GREAT family day.

We drive around and ooh and aah at all the houses with Christmas lights, especially those talented men who synchronize their lights to music!

We drink Hot Cocoa by the fire and decorate our tree.

We watch Christmas shows I have been watching for my whole life that still make me smile!

We laugh. We cuddle. We fill our home with love. We savor.

We remember how blessed we are.

I hope you all take the time to SAVOR the SEASON and to make wonderful family memories together!

What's all the buzz about 11-11-11?

2011-11-10T15:27:00.000-08:00

So we've lived through 1-1-1, 2-2-2, 3-3-3, etc, why is tomorrow more special? What is the big deal?
Well, if you've been reading and watching TV, you'd see it's an amazing day for manifesting, for change and for making miracles! The number 11 itself marks the beginning of new cycles and increased spiritual compassion. Plus it looks like a peace sign so it's good in my book! My daughter and her friends are at the age where we can't take a picture of them without them doing the peace sign in various contortions. Peace man! cool, yeah baby.

Adding to the excitement, the full moon in Taures is also called the manifesting moon . Though I can't see it through all the clouds and rain here in NY tonight! But it's there somewhere hanging with the stars!

I've written my intention and am ready to manifest ALL my dreams. Are you?
Are you going to play the lottery tomorrow too?

I really like this blog by Ellen Whitehurst -check it out here

Winter introspection-Emerge a better YOU next Spring!

2011-11-10T07:15:00.000-08:00

It's cooling off and getting dark earlier and many of us are spending a lot more time indoors.
Isn't this a GREAT time of year for introspection?

Defined as "observation or examination of one's own mental and emotional state, mental processes,etc.: the act of looking within oneself", introspection can be a wonderful and divine time of tremendous personal and spiritual growth.

I know each Fall and Winter, I spend a big part of my day on my inner journey...so each Spring I emerge with a renewed sense of wonder, sense of gratitude and sense of confidence.

Confidence that I am at the place where I am supposed to be and am growing into a better, more whole, more loving, more imaginative, more thankful, more amazing person!

Will we ever say "Ok that's it! I'm done growing!"?
God forbid!

The growth process is endless and the people who do shut themselves off to it usually nend up having, um", lets' say ,having a life of "less" rather than MORE THAN enough?

When we recognize our growth, it spurs more growth. It enhances our relationships, our businesses, our whole being and doing and living and loving!

Working with a few mentors is a great way to get started!
me, I LOVE reading all self-growth( and biz growth) books but I do gravitate to Jack Canfield and Jim Rohn.

On a personal level, I just LOVE Lori Hamann whom I've had the pleasure of chatting with and being part of one of her online coaching programs. She runs some amazing group and personal coaching sessions as well as one of my favorite things ( for lack of a better word, it's a
"course" or an "exercise" and it's amazing, called The ButterFly Experiment.

Simply put, Butterfly Experiment is about manifesting all you desire in life to step into who you really are and to step into your dreams. See her site www.lorihamann.com
You will emerge a softer, more peaceful, more positive and more high vibe person.

Whatever your desire, whatever your dreams, wherever you are and wherever you wish to be, I wish you much fun , much joy and much growth along the journey!

I don't know what it is..........but it's AMAZING!

2011-09-20T10:47:00.000-07:00

Have the planets all lined up or something?
Is the moon sending beams of huge change and growth for us?

This last few months have been months of change for me in so many ways. From throwing out things that no longer serve me, re-vamping my wardrobe and re-arranging furniture to letting go of a business that wasn't serving me and joining a new one to changing the way we eat!

I've started to buy 80% organic and feel so good about it. Shopping more local markets and shops.
Supporting companies I feel good about and making a supremely healthy change for myself and my kids.
As a student of nutrition for many many years, I know the benefits of fresh foods without pesticides and additives, but you know, sometimes it really takes a commitment to seek them out rather than grab the ever so convenient garbage on the market.

Business wise, I took my passion for health and wellness and ran with it and made DIRECTOR with my new company in my first month!

I switched my thinking around from " How can I make money today" to "Who can I help today"? and again, that also feels SO GOOD!

With 2/3 of the population either obese or overweight, ViSalus offers a solution called the 90 day BodyByVi challenge that I am proud to offer.
I'm on it too, and it rocks! Full of amazing energy!

And with so many people in debt as bad as they were a few years ago OR WORSE, Visalus also offers me a way that I can share how being a promoter of health and wellness can help them earn extra money without an extra boss!

There is never a better time than NOW to make a change to better health and wellness.
Physical wellness
Spiritual wellness
and
Financial wellness

I'm so excited to be part of the fastest growing health challenge IN THE WORLD! ( Over 60,000 joined us in August alone!)

How can I help YOU today?

Head over to the overview here then hop on my site to sign up for more info and a call from me . Or call me at the number on my site. Let's chat in a very non-pushy way. It's exciting how ViSalus has embraced the world of online marketing and social media!!

If you are a big part of facebook or twitter, you can promote our health challenge!

Keeping your eyes on the prize!

2011-08-31T19:35:00.000-07:00

In network marketing and in life, We all get frustrated and have bad days.
We all have doubt that creeps in. Fears that overshadow our focus.

But when we keep our eyes on the prize, keep our focus on
what we really really really want, and what makes us feel really good, we will overcome any doubt and we will move in the direction of our dreams.

We will basically STEP INTO OUR DREAMS!

Having your own home business is having UNLIMITED potential.

No one can tell you how many hours you have to work, when you have
to start or end, what you have to wear or when you go on vacation.

It's liberating.
It can be scary.
But it is FUN!
And the freedom becomes life-changing, especially when you have children.

It's a fact that millionaires are created everyday in network marketing.

Is it easy?
Heck no.

Is it simple?
More like it.

Follow the steps of the leaders and you can step into your dreams.

Follow a passion and your life can change.

Sometimes a little soul searching........leads to a challenge

2011-08-14T16:28:00.000-07:00

So there I was, always telling people "Listen to your heart" but *I* was not doing that. I was with a company that I lost all passion for.

So I did what someone advised me; I made a list of the few things that excite me, the few things that I do EVERYDAY even without getting any money from it.

And one of those things was reading about nutrition, health and wellness. I've been doing it over 20 years.

I take the latest supplements, eat pretty healthy, try to buy organic, practice yoga, walk.

I'm also always, let's just say, very "aware" when I see heavy people out in public eating unhealthy foods.

I want to go up to them and offer guidance.

Sometimes I want to grab the fries out of their hands and say NO!NO!NO!! ( like I do when my kids steal a cookie ,ha)

Of course I'd never do that to a stranger.

I just read that something like 40% of the population are now obese and if it keeps on this track, it could be 60%!!!
That is insane really.

I can understand being 10,even 20 pounds overweight.

It can happen pretty easily, especially as we get older.

But being 100 pounds overweight is either a medical issue or people just really eat way way way too much! and too much GARBAGE JUNK FOOD at that.

The good news is many people want to lose weight and are taking steps to do so.

I took my passion for wellness and joined a health and weight loss company that I had been watching and studying for the last 8 months.

ViSalus Sciences is on a mission to offer life, health and prosperity to all through nutritional supplements and a meal replacement shake .

I'm not going to go on and on about all I LOVE about the company and the BodyByVi challenge, but I will say that I am very happy to be part of the wellness education trend and helping people who want to help themselves.

Over 48,000 joined the challenge in the month of July alone!
it's so exciting to be able to help people lose the weight they need, avoid potential future health problems like stroke and heart disease and diabetes.

"Let food be thy medicine" and let ViSalus be the challenge and commitment you need to start losing those unwanted pounds.

Are you up for a challenge?

The calender is full- the wallet doesn't have to be empty. Summer fun ideas

2011-07-03T16:48:00.000-07:00

Looking for ideas how can you entertain your kids on a budget this summer?

As a single Mom of 3, who loves to be out and about nearly every day ,I have my share of creative ideas for family fun.

Here's some of my favorite summer things to do.

Library museum lending passes. Many libraries are doing it and they have quite a few museums on the list. Reserve your pass and you're in free.You even can bring Grandma to some of them!

Also at the local library, I've got all 3 kids in the summer reading program, plus each one in about 3 or 4 programs. Free , educational and fun. Most libraries have GREAT programs year round that you should take advantage of.

Beaches. Well, I do live on an island and we have many to choose from. We head there a lot, either for a day or just an evening. Some are free, some are $5 to get in. Bring a picnic and the whole day is less than $20 = priceless!

Parks. Checking the local Long Island website gave me some great ideas of places I'd never been before, for parks, nature walks and even nature centers. Act like a tourist and request a local travel planner or google your state tourism website. You may be surprised at how many places you can go that you've never been before.

Sports- Many schools have tennis courts and on a coolish night, we head out and hit some balls ( not that we can hit them back to each other, but still fun and exercise to boot!)

Local towns- Living on Long Island, we have our share of gorgeous coastal towns which we love to explore. A whole day of "checking things out", from shops, to just walking, buying lunch, and people watching is really a great time for all.

Local bowling alleys often let kids bowl a game a day for free. Of course, they get you on the shoes.

Book stores- Gosh, we can spend half a day at Barnes and Noble. Great on rainy days or super hot ones since the AC is usually cranked and there are chairs to sit and read a bit.Even little cafes where Moms and Dads can get some "adult" food and enjoy some quiet browsing:-)

Local churches have VBS ( vacation bible schools) and many are free. More like a camp than a school. My kids are in 3 this summer...they are only 3 hours a day but it's a very entertaining time making new friends , playing group sports and learning some valuable life lessons about sharing and caring.My kids got slimed at theirs last year and it was the talk of the summer!

Road trips. I used to call myself the Queen of roadtrips. But the drive can get to me. Stick with 5 hours or less and you can find amazing places to discover from tubing, to museums, to quirky attractions, to theme parks. No, they are not cheap but many theme parks are offering a second day free or twilight admission free with next day purchase so you can extend the fun.

Aquariums can be costly but buying a family membership gets you in all year. I buy in midsummer and feel like I get 5 seasons -summer, fall, winter, spring and part of next summer.Often they have programs where you can get into other aquariums 90 miles or more from your house for free ( many museums do this too)so keep it in mind on trips.

Farmstands- Many have playgrounds for kids, even small animals to see or pet. A few I know also have games like ring toss, sand boxes, pony rides, etc... I grab some fresh fruit and bread to go home with and call it a country day!

Children's museums are such interesting, colorful, lively , fun places. I've been to at least 6 different ones now and the kids really don't outgrow them until 10 , or even 11.

Boardwalks- Can't think of a more summery family friendly thing to do, than meander along a long boardwalk and watch the sites, smell the foods, and just take it all in!

The train-the train! Or was that The plane! The plane! Either way- taking a train ride on the LIRR keeps my kids happy and it's not costly at all. We head into NYC for a day of Central Park, NBC store, Rockefeller Center,Times Square, Toys-r-us and lunch and I can do it all less than $60 or so.

Of course, balancing the days out with some good old fashioned days in the yard, or hanging with friends , is a definite must.

Happy summer! Make it a busy, safe and fun one that doesn't drain your wallet either ( back to school clothes and supplies anyone?)
Enjoy those summer sunsets!

2011-06-09T18:35:00.000-07:00

Hot enough for ya?
Surely I jest.

All the people who complained of the bitterly cold winter and the barely existent Spring are now grumbling about the heat.
IS that ALL we do, complain?

I will say that I rarely complain in Summer ( my fave!!) or even Spring and Fall, but in Winter, even *I* get tired of hearing myself complain. I'm totally pitifully pathetic in the Winter.

I'd rather place my order:
I'd like a 3 season climate please, and throw in 1 small snow on Christmas Eve and let's call it Winter OK?

I know, I know, how about everything in moderation... but then I'm sure we'd complain about the monotony of moderation, if there is even such a thing.

OK, that's MY little VOTD- vent of the day.Bring on the heat and stop whining. I'm sitting next to an open window listening to some sweet "summer "rain.

Now back to my AC'd bedroom! hahahaha

Sanity, inspiration, clarity-Lost and found

2011-04-18T13:03:00.000-07:00

Ever just totally lose it? Your inspiration, your calmness, your attention span, your clarity, your happiness, your worthiness ?
All just gone.

You feel exasperated, you feel lost, you feel hopeless, not here nor there, not ready to run, not ready to crawl into bed? The kids are running wild and you just want to run away?

We all get like that! Well, everyone I've spoken to anyway.

And we need to know where to go or what to do or how to UNFUNK ourselves.

Then , before we know it, we wake up one day and just FEEL again. We want to shout out to the world-->I'M BAAACKKK!!!

I know for me, it's the beach that does it. Luckily I live 5 minutes from the coast, and a good walk on the beach, toes in the sand and salt water in the air usually does it for me. Then a nice HOT shower( again, it's water for me) and a good night sleep and all creativity is back. I am inspired again. I feel back ON TRACK, ready to rock the world.

So I hope YOU find your source of rejuvenation.

If it's lost, remember it can be found.

Look into your heart and do what makes you feel good to re-claim the joy, the balance and the clarity you seek.

Good Bye Winter Blues

2011-04-01T09:31:00.000-07:00

If you've got the "winter blues" still this Spring, maybe it's time to shake things up a bit!->

Want some ideas ?

raid the closets and toss what you don't use/wear

go to a new museum you've never been before

head into the city as a tourist to explore

try a new cuisine for dinner, get to the library and check out a bunch of books

try signing up for a local class

join a gym

get to the track and run

throw on a jacket and get to the beach to throw some rocks in the water with the kids

have a dance party at home by cranking up the tunes

get dressed up for "cocktail hour" at home

write a list of 100 places you want to go to

check out the local Church to see what's going on there

call an old friend you haven't spoken to in a year or more

plan a family reunion

look in the paper for yard sales and thrift stores and go treasure hunting

have a family read-aloud with a great book

get outside and walk a few miles

sign up with that business you've been looking at

get out the recipe books and magazines and plan some new exciting meals

send cards to friends "just because"

find somewhere new 2 or 3 hours from home and take a day trip

buy some tennis rackets and get to a school on the weekend

if you've never tried yoga, try it and see how alive and stretched and relaxed you feel after your practice
get some seeds and plant something in a bare corner of the yard

update your ipod playlist

plan a family game night

take a bath with candles lit and soft music on

splurge on a new skincare or perfume

eat raw foods only for a few days as a cleanse-fruit and veggies!

Whatever you choose to do;
have fun!

Restore, recharge, revive, relax and grow , learn , laugh and love!

Happy Spring

Top 10 reasons to start a YOGA practice today

2011-03-30T10:09:00.000-07:00

For all the people avidly and religiously practicing yoga, there are still many who think they have to bend into a pretzel to benefit from yoga, or who don't fully understand the benefits reach much farther than they realize

Here's 10 reasons why YOU should start a yoga practice( as usual,consult with your physician before starting any exercise practice)

1) The "stress" factor. With the bombardment of stimulation from electronics, crowds, traffic and the hustle and bustle of daily life, yoga provides us with much needed down time. It teaches relaxation, relaxes the nervous system and offers us a quiet time to turn inward. It is extremely restorative.

2) It helps release the build up of chronic tension that we get from too much time on phones, computer and in chairs. All those tense shoulder and hand muscles, even face muscles, can now have their time to open and relax.

3) Flexibility. A huge reason to to start a yoga practice! If you used to be able to put your hands flat on the floor and now they barely reach your knees, that is simply tight muscles from lack of use. Think about it. You have let your body lose what it rightfully should be doing. You can reclaim your flexibility--It was yours to start with, get it back and enjoy it. Tight hamstrings can even lead to back pain, As you feel a gradual loosening from your practice, you will stand taller and most likely many aches and pains will subside.

4) Get the blood flowing. Improve your circulation. Twisting and bending poses boost the oxygen to the tissues and cells.

5) A regular practice can lower blood sugar and LDL(bad cholesterol) as well as raise HDL(the good cholesterol) . Any form of exercise does this.

6)The spiritual dimension of a yoga practice can be life changing. It can encourage you to adopt lifestyle changes in all areas: eating, stress reduction, and mindfulness. Yoga can also deepen ones feelings of spirituality , or connections with God, or source. It can make you learn to work through your feelings with a calm mind and help you reduce anger by increasing feelings of love and compassion. It can give you a quiet strength and confidence to face any challenge that may arise.

7)Yoga and meditation teach deep breathing. Deep breathing calms the
parasympathetic system, and in turn, can reduce stress .

8)Yoga philosophy emphasizes equanimity and compassion as well as awareness. You will often find a new outlook when dealing with others , or perhaps want to make more time to volunteer , and a solid yoga practice can improve your relationships by helping you learn to take only what you need and give more. Serving others will bring a calm smile to your face. It's Karma.

9) Yoga improves your balance. Better balance means fewer falls of course and as people age, falls can turn into major complications. Think about it. How do you want to be in your 60's, 70's 80's and beyond? In a wheelchair or walking the beach.

10) Yoga is non-competitive. You do not need to get a ball over a net, in a hoop or jump the highest or swim the fastest. Your yoga practice is individual and everyone should look different in each pose. Even each day, your poses will look different. You can ask yourself, what am I feeling today? What can I do today that is best for my body? Some days it may be a short and vigorous practice. Others a long and slow one. Some days more standing poses, others seated.

It's YOUR practice. Seize it, enjoy it, benefit from it and love it as you should with anything that can make you feel so alive, so glorious, so open and so free!

Step into your dreams!

2011-02-21T19:34:00.000-08:00

Step into your dreams.

I just heard that expression and it knocked me back ,like WOW! YES!That's it!

All along we dream of what we want, how our lives should be , could be, will be.....
but it's like we are on the outside looking in.

When all we really have to do is STEP INTO OUR DREAMS!

Doesn't it just sound so easy?
And you know what? It is.

I'm taking a big step into MY dreams and challenging you to step into yours.

Got your high vibe on?!?

2011-02-11T13:44:00.000-08:00

You know when you JUST KNOW?

When you are tuned in to something?

When the passion you feel comes from your heart and in turn it TURNS up your vibe and your energy?

When you just feel SO SO GOOD?

Well, THAT is exactly the way I feel now.

And it's because I joined a company that resonates with ME, with who I am and with what I believe in.

I'm not trying to sell YOU on it.

I am trying to encourage you to get out of the funk you feel. You do feel it don't you? Sort of a winter-doldrums-what-am-I-doing-I'm-in a rut-sort of thing.

or maybe an "OK, I need some excitement and I need it NOOOOWWWWW!!"

Or maybe you are not making what you think you are worth and it's dragging you down?

Life's too short to sit and wait for opportunity to knock. And when it does, will you be tuned in to it?

Make today the day to turn it all around, to act on a belief, to grab hold of a passion, to see an opportunity.....

Whatever it may be, make it YOURS and ride the wind with it!!

The Everything in moderation lifestyle diet for the New Year

2011-01-06T07:51:00.000-08:00

Diet pills and diet drinks;

It's not just a fad, but wow, it's nuts! Last night I saw a show on TV about models and actresses and the pressure to be thin. It also analyzed the "diet "plans out there. There are some really crazy ones. I honestly can't believe people get so obsessed and crazy that they take pills and drops or shakes when the simple truth is EAT LESS, EXERCISE MORE.

and on top of that I might add, eat healthier. Why have we become a nation of super size fries and donuts and chips? Why do people circle the parking lot 10 times just to get a close spot when they could have parked and been in the mall already? Are we a lazy nation? Ignorant and uniformed? Or just plain don't care about our bodies?
I'm struggling with 5 pounds of "Happy Holiday fat"as well and know that women's bodies are more or less "programed" to store fat due to fertility but seriously, how did so many Americans get 40, 50, 60+ pounds overweight?

Trying to teach kids to eat healthy in a world where they are bombarded with commercials of chips and super sized hamburger meals is hard. So basically it's "EVERYTHING IN MODERATION" around here . You want a donut? Fine, we'll have one now and then not for a few weeks, or months. Or we'll play tennis tomorrow. It's not about depriving yourself, rather about moderation.

They'll always be the next best thing, the newest pill or drink ,the biggest MLM diet product launch, or cleanse or something but if they worked, really truly worked, would people still be overweight?

Be the artist of your life

2010-11-11T10:25:00.001-08:00

"Approach your life as an artist creating"
As I read that quote today, I was again reminded how we are co-creators of our worlds.
When I hear people complaining daily about something, I am compelled to ask "WHY continue to be a part of that drama?"
Isn't it easier to walk away and do something that just makes us feel good to the core?!?
Actually NO.
Most people, it appears, find it easier to stay with what they do, to stay with what they have, to never step out of the comfort zone into the new zone. Change is hard. It often comes with discomfort.
However that temporary discomfort is usually a permanent growth and will turn out to be a superb move in the long run.
Growing as a person takes time.
Who we were born to be sometimes is under layers that must be stripped off one by one. Or we are "layers" as Shrek says....layers and layers of integral aspects of our true beings, our beautiful loving souls .
We just need to know how to become the best we can be. Looking inward is a place to start. Asking yourself DOES THIS FEEL GOOD? is a way to start.
So the reality is: the canvas is your life. You are the artist.It's up to YOU to help God with creating the beauty within the frames of your life.

What single mom's do

2010-11-03T18:54:00.000-07:00

WHAT single Moms do:
we cook, shop, clean, scoop litter boxes, clean bird cages, walk dogs,vacuum ,kiss boo-boos,brush teeth, comb out lice, hold hands, scare off monsters......
we watch soccer games, dance rehearsals, batting practice,cartwheels and endless "look at me's"...

we chauffeur, drop off, pick up, make late night runs to CVS for medicine, drink our coffee black to give out the last milk to a little mouth, mow the lawn, plant the seeds, weed the gardens, vacuum the pool, wash the car(or not),get the mail, decorate the house, put up the Christmas tree, take down the Christmas tree...

we get the oil changed, lock and re-lock the doors, attend school conferences,write notes, vote, help with homework, wash hair, scrub dirty feet, read bedtime stories...

we make lunches, bake birthday cakes, plan vacations, drive 300 miles, paint the walls, sew buttons, push the swing, sweep the driveway, answer the phone, program the DVD,scrub the toilet, fill up the tank, rake the leaves, shove the snow...

we write cards, print pictures, clean the fridge,break our nails, light a fire, pay the bills, call customer service, go to the bank,answer the door, iron the clothes, put together furniture, fill the leaky tires, wrap presents...

we are Santa, the tooth fairy, the easter bunny, the teacher, the friend, the neighbor, the single Mom

WHY we do it:
LOVE

Let the Universe catch it in delight...

2010-10-09T18:07:00.000-07:00

Did you ever want to get off the road and take the detour?
Did you ever think of going through that open door?
Do you just know that there is so much more

Did you ever feel trapped and long to be free?
Did you ever think and say “Why me”?
Do you know that there is so much more to see?

Did you ever hope and wish and pray ?
Did you ever feel like your life is one shade of grey?
Are you looking for a whole new way?

Freedom is yours starting today
Let not fear wash it away

Grab onto a passion , unleash a fear
Unhinge the door, the future is near

Paint your dreams vivid and bright
There is no wrong, only right

Be the seeker, live and learn
Teach others-make their fires burn

Throw out the keys to a wasted week
Open your eyes to the opportunity you seek

Never a day nor a night without love
Grab hold of your joy and toss it above

Let the Universe catch it in delight
Let your world be full of love and light

original content by Debra Ferrie

I am.........

2010-10-08T06:54:00.000-07:00

I am the tree with several lovely branches.....however lovely they are, I'm ready to grow some new ones and stretch in new directions, grow new baby leaves and get stronger every year.

I am the path well taken, getting to the destination with a nice view along the way. But what if I take the path less traveled? Will the view be even more stunning?

I am the the habit, well ingrained, very comfortable. Justified. or so I said. but creating new habits is creating new growth, new effective and productive ways to do the same things.

I am the brain. Smart, always thinking. Or so it goes. But the heart needs equal time and can sweep the passions up, like the wind, and carry them effortlessly and endlessly.

I am the piano.Under your fingers I play the a delightful tune. However when you are joined by another, the meshing and melding rhythms of 2 surrounds me with the most melodious and captivating of tunes .

I am the mirror. I see only what you wish me to see. But that image can change on any given day depending on what you are looking for.

Out of the shell.........

2010-09-29T19:40:00.000-07:00

Stepping so far out of the comfort zone that........it's actually FUN!

What I'm talking about is doing something NEW and a bit SCARY.

For me, it is making videos. can't really call it public speaking yet, but hey, it's a start right?

And I'm talking, I am the one who dropped out of college because I wouldn't take Oral Communications, a required public speaking class.

So IF I wouldn't speak on front of 30 peers, but I WILL put videos on YOUTUBE for anyone in the world to see, then I guess I AM coming out of my shell!
And I like it! :-)

GREATER things to come, more love to spread, more people to help reach success, more money to be made and more fun to be had.

Isn't life grand?
Oh and my newest "On Location" beach video is here. It's all of 1 minute :-)

Prosperity Affirmation

2010-09-09T19:27:00.001-07:00

This prayer was written by Will Bowen, author of A Complaint-Free World, who said it was the greatest consciousness conditioner available to attract prosperity.

They say to read it everyday for 30 days - out loud or write it down too

Prosperity Affirmation

I am the source of all wealth. I am rich with creative
ideas. My mind abounds with new, original, inspired
thoughts. What I have to offer is unique, and the world
desires it.

My value is beyond reckoning. What the world needs
and desires, I am ready to produce and give. What the
world needs and desires, I recognize and fulfill. The
bounty of my mind is without hindrance or limit. Nothing
can stand in the way of my inspired creativeness.

The overflowing power of God life energy overcomes
every obstacle, & pours out into the world, blessing &
prospering everyone, & everything through me.

I radiate blessings, I radiate creativity, I radiate
prosperity, I radiate loving service. I radiate Joy,
Beauty, Peace,Wisdom & Power. Humanity seeks
me and rewards me. I am beloved of the world.
I am wanted wherever I go.

I am appreciated. What I have to offer is greatly desired.
What I have to offer brings a rich reward. Through my vision
the world is blessed. Through my clear thinking & steadfast
purpose, wonderful new values come into expression.

My vision is as the vision of the mighty ones. My faith is
as the faith of the undefeatable. My power to accomplish
is un-limited. I, in my uttermost God Source, am all wealth,
all power, all productivity. I hereby declare my financial
freedom, NOW and henceforth forever!

Making life zestful, zingy and oh so spicy!

2010-08-26T10:22:00.001-07:00

The only way you can grow is to continuously challenge yourself to do things that you think are beyond your capability. And not only will you find you ARE capable, you will now look further, delve deeper, reach higher and grow more than ever before! When you have a passion for life, a passion for things that bring you JOY, then life is ZESTFULLY wonderful!

When you choose to grow and learn and challenge yourself, the life is wonderfully spicy! When you open your heart to let your inner light out, you will actually make yourself glow brighter than ever before. When you choose to really dive in headfirst , grab something and embrace it, MAKE IT YOURS then it becomes a wonderful and deep experience that enriches your soul.
How 'bout a little passion today and a lot less complaining?
A little lovin' and a lot less sittin' and wishing?
A little spice and everything is nice.
Turn it up
Turn it on and whoa, whoa whoa! start BEING the joy you had only hoped for. Start spreading the light , start believing in the passion of creating!

My passions?Writing,being a Mother to my amazing kids, inspiring other Moms and helping people be successful in home business. Have I inspired you in any way? Comments welcome

Working up an appetite for life?

2010-07-02T19:49:00.000-07:00

2010-07-02T19:35:00.000-07:00

"As parents, we guide by our unspoken example. It is only when we're talking to them that our kids aren't listening.~"Robert Brault
Oh,wise wise wise! I LOVE this and as the Universe works, it comes at the PERFECT time.
As the Mom of 3 kids, turning 10, 8 and 4 this summer, the older 2 are at an age where they , as us Moms seem to say often " just don't listen".
Ha! Really they DO hear me, it only sounds like the teacher in the Charlie Brown cartoons- Bwah bwah bwah bwah bwah
So here I am, feeling bad for yelling again at them. Feeling as if NOTHING I say will teach them and then it dawns on me-BINGO! EXACTLY! Nothing I SAY will teach them (not at this age anyway) but the things I DO just may set a roaring- soaring -flaming crazy good example.
The way I act, the way I react, the way I love, the way I show affection, redirection,attention, the way I FEEL and revel in new experiences, the way I treat the world, and accept the gifts of friendship and joy and laughter, the way I walk in nature, or soak up a new experience.....it is all of this, that I can do silently and set an example for the 3 most beautiful beings I have ever met that I am privileged to know. It is really I who learns from them-my greatest teachers. If you have children, you know exactly what I mean. It is from them, that we truly understand who we are and we learn true love and acceptance and what gratefulness and appreciation really mean.

This is my life- A Friday afternoon in June

2010-06-11T12:31:00.000-07:00

I'm sitting on the front step waiting for the bus. Friday's are always my favorite. It's June, the school year is almost over.The sky is blue and I'm in love with the sunshine. For some crazy reason, my daughter is inside playing "Oh Hannukah ,Oh Hannakuh" from her chorus concert last year. For some really crazy reason, the beat reminds me of a Russian dance and I get a strong and clear vision of Russian men and women in Russian hats and costume, kicking and twirling like crazy.Wow. And no, I don't even drink. Maybe I'm just dehydrated.

Gotta shake THAT image out of my head... Looking around, I notice the grass needs to be cut AGAIN , the weeds are back in full force AGAIN and my nail polish is chipped YET AGAIN on my big toes. The sun still shines. My son gets off the bus and both my other kids come out to the front porch with me. And I think to myself "What a wonderful world".....of course, then the bickering begins...one kid wants to stay home, one wants to go out, one is hungry as usual."He hit me!- She poked me! -Why does he have a lollipop?" The backpack gets tossed carelessly on the floor, I trip on a pair of sneakers and I have NO CLUE what I will make for dinner. Ah, another day in the life of a Mom. I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.And tomorrow I will still have weeds, chipped polish and no clue what to make for dinner. But it's all OK. call me crazy ...Life is good!

What do you really see?

2010-05-21T17:20:00.000-07:00

"We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses."~Abraham Lincoln

Looking at your life, do you see the opportunity at every corner or just another long street to walk?
Do you rejoice that the rain will bring flowers and a greener earth or complain about getting wet?
What do you see when you look out your window? What do you see when you look into your soul?
What do you see when your child brings home their school work?
What do you see at the park? The older man and his wife arm in arm, surrounded by a 50 year love? A child full of whimsical joy chasing a dog? A new Mom overflowing with pride for her toddler?
Or just people ?

Think about it.
When you LOOK, next time , really SEE.I know it's not easy. It doesn't come naturally for everyone. But it can make your life a better place to be in and the world a better place to look at.

The note on the Fridge

2010-04-29T19:28:00.000-07:00

It's always there as a reminder and it says:
Choose to
give more
love more
relax more
smile more
laugh more
enjoy more
praise more
accept more
thank more
share more
BE more!

Not always easy as the days get crazy, the kids fight or give me a hard time( seems like this is ALL the time now that they are 7 and 9 !), the house need cleaning.....well, you know how it is! SO I hang those gentle written reminders to myself.....smile, let the kids see a happy Mom not freaking out over spills, let them feel empowered to make choices themselves....oh, it's not always easy, being a Mom IS the hardest "job" EVER yet it's the most rewarding too.

Each night as I go to bed , I'm thankful for the things I did that made us all feel good and I vow to try to correct the ones I didn't do so well.There is no perfection, there is only doing our best.

That piece of paper will be on the fridge to remind me in the morning...

What if?

2010-03-24T10:02:00.000-07:00

What if today you choose to smile the minute you woke up?
What if you choose to count to 5 before you speak?
What if you choose to be grateful for every little thing in your life?
What if........?

What if you choose to walk around the block 20 minutes every day?
What if you choose to drink a water instead of a coke?
What if you ate a fruit instead of a pretzel or cookie?
What if........?

What if you booked an impulsive vacation to somewhere exotic?
What if you bought a bike and rode it to the store?
What if you picked up a pen and wrote a letter to an old friend?
What if........?

What if you hung up old pictures that make you smile rather than keeping them in a box?
What if you painted your bedroom bright blue or yellow?
What if you got rid of anything you haven't worn in a year?
What if.......?

What if you get a pedicure instead of cleaning house?
What if you ASK for a massage from your spouse?
What if you set out the fancy plates for dinner and light candles?
What if........?

What if you EXPECT only good things to come your way?
What if you EXPECT things to run smoothly?
What if you choose to feel peace and love instead of fear and frustration?
What if.........?

What if you choose to ACCEPT your family for who they are?
What if you choose to HUG your children more?
What if you choose to give your kids more freedom?
What if.......?

What if you choose with your heart not your head?
What if you LOVE not lecture?
What if you choose to feel only pure JOY and Appreciation of your life?
What if?

Will today be the day for YOU?

2010-02-02T09:46:00.000-08:00

People really are creatures of habit aren't we? And often we choose to complain each and every day about something when we can stand up and make a change. I'm not even talking huge life altering things,but just small things.

My son had a beautiful comforter on his bed. The only problem was that it was a queen and his bed is a twin. So each day, it ended up dragging across the floor. I'd go in, step on it , curse and re-make the bed. It wasn't fun. It was actually just plain dumb that I did this every single day for over a year. Maybe insane is a better word. Then last month, I walked in, stripped the comforter off, lugged it into the basement, ran to the store, bought a nice new TWIN size one, came home, made the bed and GRINNED like the cheshire cat. It is now a pleasure to drop into his room in the AM. Still, why didn't I choose to do something all that time instead of complaining, cursing, tugging and bugging my son to fix his bed.

Often we think it is EASIER to not do something, but really, it's just so much BETTER to grab the bull by the horns and make that change.

Don't make enough money? Get a new job or better yet, start one. Stretch your self imposed limitations and seek out thing that WILL make you money.

Don't like your house? Fix it to your liking, get used to it, or move. But don't complain everyday.

Dream about going on vacations? Book the trip! If not your dream one, book something to get away. Life's too short to sit dreaming. Start living!

Overweight? Eat less, exercise more. It's all a conscious decision we make.

Not happy ? Get out there and do things that make you fill you with joy. Remember your passions. Remember your "why" for having a home business. Set an example for your kids that life is what we make it and our frame of mind is what we choose to think. We co-create our realities. Our happiness comes from within, how we really feel about our lives is reflected in our choices. Are you choosing to live passionately?
Will TODAY be the day YOU make that decision to change something you don't like?

What are YOU waiting for?

2010-01-26T18:25:00.000-08:00

Sometimes the words come at you like a slap in the face. Sometimes you really listen, really let them sink in. What are you waiting for? Like the wonderful Dr. Seuss Book "Oh the places you'll go", you don't realize that you've been stuck in the "waiting place". Waiting for someday to make your life better. Waiting for a raise, waiting for a new boyfriend, a better time to move ,waiting for the kids to get older, etc."

I'm guilty of "D"- all of the above and I'll bet that you are too.

In reading Jack Canfield's book "The Success Principles" recently, chapter 1 tells it plain and simple--each of us is 100% entirely responsible for the choices we make and the thoughts we think.

We can choose to be positive or choose to be negative.

We can complain about the wind, the sun , the rain...or smile and embrace the changes.

It is US who stay at jobs we don't like, stay in a bad relationship,stay home when we want to be away.

No one is holding a gun at us telling us to do this or that.

The choices we make are not right or wrong, they are simply choices.

However, it is wise to remember that since we have that fantastic ability to make a choice, we can choose change!

We can choose a new job, choose to sell the house, to end a marriage, to backpack across Europe.

We can choose to do things that make our lives innately better and filled with more joy.

For the longest time I have wanted to move to a new state.

Is it a case of "the grass is greener"? I don't know. But instead of focusing on NOT being where I think I'd like to be, I have made the choice to accept my decision to stay where I am NOW and to enjoy it.

Knowing that I have CHOSEN to stay suddenly puts the responsibility on ME and only ME so I am choosing to embrace my decision. Sure, I'll probably move one day, but for now I CHOOSE to live on Long Island and enjoy the beauty of the beaches around me, and my wonderful friends and family here.

Back to the waiting game....so many people are waiting for that big change.

But when we realize that we can control our lives, that we co-create our days, then we can choose to NOT wait and rather to take action toward a goal.

If you want a book published, you have to write and send it to publishers.

If you want to make more money, you have to spend more (quality) time working your business.

If you want more excitement in your life, you have to pursue your passions...take classes, go on vacations, revel in the nature around you!

Don't wait for anything, grab the bull by the horns, and start taking charge of your destiny.
You can start right now by changing your attitude and living in appreciation of all you have, From there, the sky is the limit!

From "Oh the Places You'll Go"

~headed, I fear, toward a most useless place.
The Waiting Place...

...for people just waiting.
Waiting for a train to go
or a bus to come, or a plane to go
or the mail to come, or the rain to go
or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow
or waiting around for a Yes or a No
or waiting for their hair to grow.
Everyone is just waiting.

Waiting for the fish to bite
or waiting for wind to fly a kite
or waiting around for Friday night
or waiting, perhaps, for their Uncle Jake
or a pot to boil, or a Better Break
or a sting of pearls, or a pair of pants
or a wig with curls, or Another Chance.
Everyone is just waiting.

Surveys pay!

2010-01-07T09:33:00.000-08:00

Would you like some extra cash or gift cards from taking fun and easy surveys?( see links on sidebar) There are several survey sites which I use and enjoy.Easy money. If you're looking to make BUG bucks, they are NOT for you. However, if you're looking to get some gift cards, some easy checks, maybe gifts, magazines, etc... they are a great way to get extra stuff for YOU!

If you're a stay at home or work at home Mom, after the kids go to bed, you can spend half an hour or so doing your surveys and before you know it, you can request payment. Some pay by check or pay pal, others in gift cards. I love getting gift cards for restaurants! When I'm out with my 3 kids, and just don't feel like going home to cook, I pull one out and presto!-FREE Lunch or dinner!

They're all FREE to sign up so why not start earning today? See links on the right

Inclusion

2009-12-22T06:32:00.000-08:00

Do you ever feel like you think about what you don't want or don't have ( I hate these bills, I wish my house were bigger, my thighs thinner, etc) more often than what you DO have?
I think we all are guilty of this and the thing is, it just doesn't serve us to be that way. Law of attraction even says it makes us maintain what we don't want into our existence and makes no room for what we DO want.
Therefore, a shift in our thinking to what we DO want to include in our lives can radically change things. Thinking of all we have, of all we are grateful for, of all the abundance before our eyes..these are the things we sometimes forget to appreciate and appreciation brings more to us to be grateful for.
Abraham -Hicks says this:
""Hold in your mind two words, the first word is INCLUSION meaning things I would like to include in my experience. I would like to include abundance, I would like to include wellness, I would like to include vitality, I would like to include oriental rug. Anything that you are wanting to include in your experience INCLUSION .

The other word is EXCLUSION meaning things not wanted. I would like to exclude death, I'd like to exclude sickness I'd like to exclude violence. Exclusion, things NOT wanted.

The thing that we so much want you to hear is that there is no such thing as exclusion, and every time you attempt it all you really do is include in your vibration something you don't want!

You get it don't you. So what happens is you see because you've been trained to exclude, you've been trained to say" Watch out for that" "I don't want that" and all along your including that thing that you don't want. So when you say "I want more money I don't want debt" your actually including two contradictory vibrations within your vibration. You get the sense of this?"-Abraham-Hicks

So, choose to INCLUDE and ACCEPT into your reality all which is important to you: LOVE, VIBRANT HEALTH, PURE JOY, ABUNDANCE IN ALL FORMS,PEACE , etc... and you will open up your world and your family to a better view.
Blessings and peace this holiday season!
Debra

Have you ever........?

2009-11-04T10:57:00.000-08:00

I LOVE Disney lyrics. They always tell a great story about people , earth, joy and love and they are often law of attraction focused:what you think will happen,WILL, when you believe!
I think the song below is a GREAT one for these fast paced and economically troubled times...for this month.....for the world now:

You think you own whatever land you land on
The earth is just a dead thing you can claim
But I know every rock and tree and creature
Has a life, has a spirit has a name

You think the only people who are people
Are the people who look and think like you
But if you walk the footsteps of a stranger
You'll learn things you never knew, you never knew

Have you ever heard the wolf cry to the blue corn moon?
Or asked the grinning bobcat why he grinned?
Can you sing with all the voices of the mountain?
Can you paint with all the colours of the wind?

Come run the hidden pine trails of the forest
Come taste the sunsweet berries of the Earth
Come roll in all the riches all around you
And for once, never wonder what they're worth

The rainstorm and the river are my brothers
The heron and the otter are my friends
And we are all connected to each other
In a circle, in a hoop that never ends

How high does a sycamore grow?
If you cut it down, then you'll never know.
And you'll never hear the wolf cry to the blue corn moon.
For whether we are white, or copper-skinned,
We need to sing with all the voices of the mountain
Need to paint with all the colours of the wind
Need to paint with all the colours of the wind

You can own the earth and still,
All you own is earth until
You can paint with all the colours of the wind.

10 rules for right now

2009-10-28T18:48:00.000-07:00

1-If you can't pay cash for it, don't buy it

2-If you don't want it on your hips, don't pass it through your lips. Eat less, exercise more

3-If you want to be loved, be lovable

4-Make each day fun-worry less, laugh more,be like a kid and get on the floor

5-Be grateful and thankful .It always gets you more to be grateful for.

6- Learn something new every day.

7-Try something new once in a while. It can't hurt

8-Talk less, listen more. We all have problems, no need to go on about them

9-Remember the glass is always half full: it really doesn't serve us to be anything other than optimistic.

10-Never give up on your dreams.As it's said:If you can dream it,you can achieve it!

Got kids? Give them an attitude

2009-09-15T18:52:00.000-07:00

I think kids are born inherently positive and knowing that what they want out of life, they CAN have!They have a winning ATTITUDE!!

Then it happens.

Some fool comes along and says "Hey buddy, that just ain't so. You can't always get what you want". "You can't be a fireman, you have to be a lawyer like Daddy" "You'll never be able to climb THAT mountain(read:attain that dream)'You can't do THAT!"

And slowly, unless they are filled with complete love ,joy and acceptance and encouraged to chase down and grab their dreams, they lose it. They start thinking that life is not all that great or that it is a struggle or that "it sucks"

But it doesn't have to be that way. You can grab that bull by the horns and turn it around. You can teach your children about the law of attraction.If the term "law of attraction" scares you or you think it's just too "way out there" remember that all the great achievers and leaders have believed in their dreams and envisioned themselves as what and who they wish to be.

I have been teaching my kids that life is all about mindset,appreciation, asking , receiving , detaching and expecting.It's also about working. You don't just ask and sit back and expect. You DO have to work toward your dream. If you saw "The Secret",remember where Jack Canfield spoke of his dream to get out XX amount of his books( I cant remember exact number). Well, he didn't sit on his lounge chair and hope for it.He went out and did book signings and promos and all and it surpassed his dreams!

And according to Abraham -Hicks, it's definately about going downstream. and it's such a SIMPLE concept to grasp. I asked my kids , if you got in a canoe...is it easier to sit and ride the river downstream or to try to turn it and paddle upstream?

Well, they looked at me like I was an idiot and said" Downstream of course, Mommy!" and I said "AHA! then you understand that is how you should choose to do everything in your life. Do not struggle and wear yourself out, do not fight, just go with the flow,be at ease ". Simple terms but its fine for a 6 and 8 year old.

And they understand of course.

Children are so wise.They are born wiser than we know. They are gifts to us.

We also talked about positive mindset and visualization. Take Michael Phelps...did he go to the olympics and say "Well, I'll give it a try" or was he 110% focused on winning? Did he expect to win? Did he PICTURE himself winning? Yes!Yes! and Yes!
And that is why he did.

My son learned A LOT last year doing a report on Edison. How many times that man failed was amazing. And how many times he went on to success was inspiring!

I speak to my kids almost everyday about gratefulness, understanding to appreciate all we have, share our abundance and expect more. I try to teach them about ATTITUDE..a winning positive one is the only way!

And they get it. They really get it.

Everyday I am so inspired as I watch them grow and learn. I am thankful and blessed to have the opportunity to know them and share our lives...to be the teacher and the student. They have much to teach me too. So much.

I'm listening......

Well, why not?

2009-09-15T18:42:00.001-07:00

I was asked recently why I have such a tough time with decisions. Probably because my standards and expectations are so very high . It makes it tough for me as things aren't always a "perfect" fit. "SO", I was told "Lower your expectations"

LOWER my expectations?!!?
Not a chance.
I really do enjoy the best of things, the finest life has to offer. And while I am not be staying at 6 star hotels(yet) or have a private chef or a yacht(yet), why can't I dream of them as I work my business toward achieving them. WHY NOT???

Same conversation took place a while back about my children. "Why do you take them so many places? They're so young, they won't even remember it when they grow up." WELL, WHY NOT? They ARE enjoying all the things we do, they are learning and it IS shaping their world. And we have so much fun! THAT in itself is priceless.

Why do I spend so much time teaching them and working with them and traveling? Isn't that what school is for? No WAY! I am their Mom, their first teacher and I am the one who helps them become more worldly and helps to open their eyes to all that is out there. Classrooms can't always do that. AND WHY NOT Anyway? I LOVE learning and learn new things each and every day.I love new experiences, new towns, new discoveries. I grow as a person, as a business owner and as a MOM by all that I seek out , and all that I share.And I will do this if I live to be 100. Well, WHY NOT?

Balanced Living

2009-06-23T12:35:00.000-07:00

As I was practicing yoga today, I looked around my house and saw how we live and it made me think about balance. Maybe not in the way you are thinking. More like yin/yang....dark and light....new and old. My house is a collection of old furniture, scuffed floors, rustic signs, dried hydrangeas,jars of shells and rocks, old books.....all comforting items that say sit and stay a while ..all things that have been around this earth for a while. Their well worn look and feel says "home".

Then there's the cell phone, the computer,the microwave, the DVD players, my printer running as I do some sun salutations. All the modern conveniences strewn here and there mixed in with the old. An eclectic yet wonderful balance of new and old, nature and technology.

And isn't it like our lives? A longing for the new and exciting technology yet at the same time, we need the earth and it's offerings to offer the grounding and the balance.
A walk on the beach the other night while the sun was setting made me feel that I could live forever with just the sun , the sand, the air and my kids at my side. Yet coming home to snuggle on the couch and watch a movie offered the other side and we quite enjoyed both.

The awareness for a connection with nature grows as we are bombarded with more and more high tech.More people I know are choosing to live relatively simply. Though they have high tech items, they are taking time to teach their children about some "old fashioned fun"....a walk on the beach, a day on the farm, a picnic in the mountains. It's really just being aware of the need to ground and the need for balance as life turns more hectic.

As our senses can be overloaded with lights, noise and action, it's taking a chance to balance that overload with another sensory blitz: fresh air, ocean waves splashing us , serene lakes to gaze upon, leaves to crunch in, sunsets to absorb, sand to sink our toes in, animals to touch, mountains to climb, smooth rocks to hold.....

Anne Frank said "The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature."

A blind and deaf woman, Helen Keller, relied only on her sense of touch and smell. "To me a lush carpet of pine needles or spongy grass is more welcome than the most luxurious Persian rug"

When feeling confused, down or lonely, very often a day out in nature can help us find that inner strength and peace we forgot about. "Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts."(Rachel Carson)

When we take the time to open our eyes and all our senses to the natural world around us, the balance we so desperately seek will present itself and wrap a warm arm around our shoulders.

You are the artist of your life

2009-04-20T06:11:00.001-07:00

The Universe provides the canvas and the paints. It's up to YOU to paint the pictures of your life.

So, what are you going to paint? Sunny yellows, bright skies, open doors, blooming flowers, fields of joy , a newborn baby in her mothers arms, a stroll on the beach, a warm smile, friends holding hands, children laughing, contentment, abundance, great joy, pure love, peace.......yeah paint peace and love today!

Create YOUR life today!

Half full?

2009-04-10T11:16:00.000-07:00

Ever notice certain people tend to drag you down?

To squelch your good mood and enthusism? To try to make you think your glass is half empty when you KNOW it's half full?Then you are one of the MANY people very sensitive to others vibrations.....really we all are.

And the only CERTAIN way to keep yourself in an ever happy joyful calm environment is to surround yourself with others who are the same state of harmony ,peace and happiness .

Make the choice to be with people who:

Love you unconditionally

Make you laugh and feel good

Are open minded, curious and eager to seek fun experiences

Who are comfortable in their own skin and not complaining often

Are interested in improving themselves and always learning more

Truly love living life

Appreciate the beauty of nature and the world around us and take care of it exquisitely

Who aren’t afraid of being loved, being silly or trying new things

Who offer encouragment and support in your choices

Who are positive and see the glass half full

Who dance , sing, love and laugh like children

Today's two-minute tip to take you to the top

2009-04-08T10:32:00.000-07:00

What you put into your mind will come out in your actions. Thinking happy positive thoughts will make you do happy positive things. It's really a simple equation. Learn something new and follow through. Set a higher standard for yourself, smile at strangers, teach someone what you know, look for the horizon, dare to dream and dream BIG!

I am not MOST PEOPLE.

2009-04-06T08:20:00.000-07:00

I have this little game I play with myself when I vaccuum. Using my always great and powerful Oz-like Dyson, I vaccuum my whole house as if I was having the Queen over for dinner, or better yet, Oprah . I spend what seems like hours in the nooks and crannies and going over the wide open areas of carpet and flooring. Again and again and again.

Then, I dump out my clear canister and do it all again !And I am always gleefully amazed at what the 2nd round picks up. I almost want to save the canister and show it to people "Look", I’d say , like a 4 year old with a big smile ." This is what the 2nd trip brought me" ....te he he

And so my point is, and I DID have a point, I think, that often when we think we’ve done the best and most thorough job we can at ANYTHING IN LIFE, we can do it again and produce more and different results.

Ok, so my analagy has to do with dirt and dust and dander but nonetheless, it’s my analagy.

And maybe my quirky sense of humor and odd ways makes me not like most people. Since as far back as I can remember, I was always compared to "most people" and never fit into that category. "Most people do it this way" "Most people eat meat" "Most people don’t say that" "Most people like ___"(fill in the blank)

The older I get however, the more I am sure of myself and am proud that I am not like "most people". Oh sure, I have thousands of traits that overlap with the general population yet many that are my own. Call me quirky, call me different. It’s OK! I don't give up when and where others do. Rather, I come up with a different idea or challenge that keeps me going along the path, be it my own path with my own drummers.

And I was always drawn to the people that do their own thing with wild abandon. The ones who’s homes you walk in which are not cookie cutter replicas of others but ooze an individuality of eclectic odds and ends, sounds and smells that make them so utterly and perfectly unique.

I am drawn to people who think out of the box. To leaders who set the trends, never caring who follows. To life long learners who seek out the extraodinary , the odd, the new, the challenging, the diverse and ponder the big picture. To those who see what is not always visible to the eye. To those who live with all senses tuned to “ON”.

So, however I choose to vaccuum my house, wherever I choose to vacation, whatever I choose to listen to or read, whatever I choose to believe or not believe, I am proud of my indiviudality and I embrace my uniqueness. While "most people" may be walking, I’m doing cartwheels with my kids, big goofy grins on our faces . And loving it!

Seeking approval?

2009-03-25T05:51:00.000-07:00

I hope not! Remember , you are YOU....your own person with your own attitude, desires, skills, style and dreams. You do NOT need anyone's approval. You should NOT be affected by their opinion, no matter how negetive it is or how much they disapprove.

I know that in my teen years, while I did seek approval from my peers in some ways, I'm sure, I was also strong enough to do my own thing, wear what I want, say what I want and be who I want and I became a sort of trend setter....a "rebel", if you may. But I was not really a rebel..it was simply everyones inability to understand that people can do what they want, even if it against they grain of the whole society and not care what others think. I was choosing to be free, to be me. And I'm ok with that, always have been, always will be. That sense of freedom allows us time to think of and do things that are important TO US and not spend time worrying if someone else approves or what they think.

I instill this belief on my children..teaching them "You may do what you want, how you want, when you want, as long as you are not harming anyone or breaking rules (ie-trespassing, etc..)

They ALL march to the beat of their own drummer and I am so proud of them.

Read this Abraham quote:

"When you feel free, you're free to be who you want to be under
any and all conditions, and you really don't worry about what
anybody else thinks about it, because you know that what they
think about you is their problem.

It has nothing to do with you.

And when you really feel that way, you become in the greatest
place that we know of, which is in the place of allowing -- and
you know you are in the place of allowing when you can see another
not approving of you and it is okay with you."

Cold feet, warm memories and observations

2009-03-17T06:13:00.000-07:00

Ok, what's this all about? Just got in from a fabulous vacation in 86 degree Florida, mostly at the Disney Parks. I have made many realizations during my trip and took the time to relearn things about myself.

So what did I learn? That I don't like cold feet...here in New York it's in the 30's today. I really need to live somewhere where I can wear flip flops year round. It makes me happy.

I learned that I LOVE to drive(knew that) but over 10 hours is just too long for me (and the almost 19 was waay long)

I learned that my kids are better behaved than most. Actually even had a hotel desk clerk and an older couple at Applebee's both call me over to compliment me on my kids behavior. How nice is that?

I observed that most people don't smile enough. Even at Disneyworld,there were many serious faces while we walked around with HUGE grins most of the day.

I learned that it's ok for kids to drip ice cream down their arms and lick it off.

I observed that whale and dolphin trainers have a look of pure joy when "working". They really LOVE what they do, Bless them!

I learned I will always do what I want, and not listen all those who gently (or forcefully) mentioned that taking the children out of school for vacation wasn't a good idea. I made many wonderful warm memories with my kids that they will cherish forever! Missing 6 days of school, in the big picture of their lives is nothing!

I learned that being a single Mom and traveling with kids 1200 miles is challenging, exhausting and so much fun!

I learned that there is NO way I could live in the country. I think salt water runs through my blood.

I learned that I truly NEED the sun to feel good.

I learned what I knew already...that I could travel once a month. I LOVE it!Just booked the next trip for June. Plus many day trips in between.

And lastly I made wonderful memories with my 3 most favorite people in life! And had a GREAT time. And isn't that what life is all about?

Taking challenges in home business and in life

2009-02-27T15:23:00.000-08:00

So, how are you with challenges? Are they overwhelming and hard to rise up to and meet ? Or do you take it with a smile and acceptance and a firm belief in yourself? Like a game you simply MUST win.

Whether you challenge yourself or someone proposes a challenge, treat it as a leanring experience to better yourself. No matter what the size of the challenge.

I'm sure Michael Phelps's coach challenged him to swim the fastest he ever had...to beat his previous time.

Actors challenge themselves to be better..to accept more difficult roles , to go for something they have never tackled before.

Mountain climbers will always try to get higher than they did before.

So how does this relate to a home business? If you don't set goals or challenge yourself to reach new heights of success, then where are you going? Are you sitting back and hoping you will get new customers or team members? Or if you are a leader, are you challenger your team to better?

I've started working closely with some of my team members who are sort of "stuck". Treading water , they call it. Keeping your head above water,but not really going anywhere.

I challenge them to get out 100 business cards a week ( into hands, not just left around)
Or
to give 3 samples a day out.
Or to join 5 social networks and write at least 20 posts. To blog daily.
To promote their contest and get 10 new entries a week.
To talk to 5 new people a day.

Sometimes saying " I challenge you to do this" is more motivating than suggesting they join some groups or put out cards. Meeting your challenges is like meeting a goal..very rewarding!

Remember the "100 NO challenge" that is classic to direct sales businesses. How fast can you get one hundred no's when asking people to take a look at your business? Because if you get 100 no's, then you have spoken to at least 100 people...and of course, I'm sure you will get some YES's too! How great will that feel?

I challenge you all to grow to new heights .
Are you doing the above steps ? Are you actively promoting your business on a daily basis or just reading boards and forums? Are you looking for new online ways to expand your contacts? Are you setting goals for personal growth too? Diet, exercise, quitting bad habits?

Take the challnge, plan your work, work your plan and meet new levels of happiness and success!

Social Networking and life online

2009-02-27T10:13:00.000-08:00

There are so many sites nowadays where one can share their lives, their photos, updates, articles , home businesses and more.It also provides a wonderful opportunity for people like me who love to write, to share knowledge and express our creativity and hope others will enjoy it. Blogging is one of the most popular forms of self expression, but now many sites like Bukisa allow us to upload our articles , make a little extra money and be published easily .

Social networking online can be a bit overwhelming in the beginning,but if you learn to use sites and your time effectively , you can definately make GREAT connections. I met a fabulous life coach who I now call a friend.And through her, I met a whole group of people at ning who share my beliefs and values.
My personal sponser/team leader has also become a long distance friend whom I love chatting with, both on the phone and online.

I also have a fantastic group on CafeMom about law of attraction and met some wonderful and amazing souls there. If that wasn't enough, I have had the opportunity to chat with old friends from as far back as 6th grade on facebook . And I have grown my team with my home business almost entirely online through networking. I don't buy leads, I don't place many paid ads ( and when I do, they are under $10) or do pay per clicks with google.

Social networking works for businesses and definately helps us keep the "social" in our lives through a long and icy winter. The only thing that, to me, gets out of hand, is when people do it from vacation. I'll be on vacation soon, and I will check e-mails and my sites at night after the kids go to bed, but there's no way I will spend my relaxing and adventuring time online.

I like to think I'm a mix of old-fashioned back to nature and high tech junkie. I like the benefits of both. My kids get to sit at meals and on rides with me with my 100% undivided attention. I don't bring anything electronic into hotels and they do not watch TV on vacation. Yet during our car ride, we have DS games, a touch screen multi media cell phone and a DVD player . I think it's a nice blend of a little of both.

Time to plant the seeds

2009-02-22T07:03:00.001-08:00

And not just because it is just about Spring!

Remember, even the largest oak, started as a small seed. Take your idea, your passion, your thoughts, prepare your "soil" and firmly plant them. Be patient, nourish them and watch them grow and blossom. AS the tulips that come up on my lawn each and every Spring, EXPECT they will come and be more beautiful each year. EXPECT that they will expand , as that is the way of nature...when surrounded by beauty, more beauty can thrive!

"Within the seed of your desire is everything necessary for it to blossom to fulfillment. And Law of Attraction is the engine that does the work. Your work is just to give it a fertile growing place in order to expand." --- Abraham

A quick note about turning thoughts into action!

2009-01-24T14:58:00.000-08:00

Do you often think about doing something new? Or maybe there's been something in the back of your mind for years now, that you've wanted to do but put off?
Thinking about taking a chance? Pursuing a passion? Starting a home business? Taking up skiing, painting an oil pastel, publishing a book? Starting a yoga practice, going back to school, or taking a trip around the world?

Don't just think, DO. The right time is always NOW and if you don't, you may wish you had!

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover".
Mark Twain (1835 - 1910)

The Food diary- Friend ,foe or a good laugh?

2008-12-11T19:05:00.000-08:00

To overindulge on good food can be one of life's pleasures. After all, Websters defines "indulge" as to satisfy, to give way to ones own desires.
So how can that be wrong?

When our overindulgences are written clearly for all to see in a food diary, or perhaps a chart on the refrigerator, our glutoneous habits become all too clear. If one were to drop dead on the kitchen floor, and the police arrive and stumble upon the friendly food diary, the list would speak for itself: 27 cookies, 68 grapes, 19 pretzels.........

"But they were the SMALL cookies", they'd hear the voice from the grave, screaming "The little ones. And I had a really Bad day"!

Excuses!
and food diaries have no pages for excuses.

I was never one to think that the simple act of truthfully writing what I ate would bring upon such a lifestyle change. A pen, a paper and a whole new lifestyle. Cool.

Cracking eggs for an omelette, as I reached for egg #3, my hand paused, mid air, and I realized I would have to write 3 eggs. I opted for the 2 and had a wonderful breakfast nonetheless.

If you can be brutally honest, you can change long engrained habits. Even a healthy food like a tomotoe , a pickle or green bean looks ludicrously like a suspect when listed as 4 tomatoes, 3 pickels or 62 green beans.

Real food, eaten by real people who may be 5 or 25 or 45 pounds overweight does not look like the food you see in cooking magazines or even on cook shows, That gorgeous little sliver of meat, 2 new potatoes garnished with 1/2 teaspoon parsley and 5 julienned carrots is hardly a meal for those of us used to heaping platters and overflowing bowls. Perhaps a fine medium would be beneficial to the general population.

Writing your food consumption can be hard. You need to carry a little book wherever you go. You need to know that if you stop at Starbucks, you have to write each and every calorie of that latte. Your new catchphrase will be "no thank you". More coffee? No thank you. More ice cream ? No thank you. some cake? No thank you" I'd rather write down that I had a small salad and be proud of myself as my head hits the pillow at night, only to be awakened by a loud growling sound from my mid-section.

When you add those calories in your food diary, the first few days or weeks may be very depressing. You will most likely reach your projected calorie consumption by 9:30 am.
and of course, you will be starving by 10:30. Oh,my what a life!

My suggestion is to go right ahead and buy that little dress, or pair of size 6 jeans, or whatever it is that is a concrete goal for you. Try it on daily. Oh sure, the first weeks, you amy only be able to get a fist in it, but eventually it may just glide right on.

ANd scales? I know we've all heard to throw away the scale, but not me. I'd rather hop on it 25 times a day, if it keeps me from overindulging. If the number drops, I don't dare mess with this fantastic downward spiral of amazingness, as I may throw the whole thing out of whack if I eat a morsal more. And if the number is up, well, then I can hardly head to the kitchen , feeling like a tub of butter. Rather, I can indulge my other senses:a great book, some fantastic blasting loud music to dance too, a scented candle and a bath.....

Back to the food diary, it's also a gentle reminder to write down your mood with your food as so many of us are mood eaters.When you consistently see the words "sad or stressed" on the pages where you ate 55 crackers, you will see the pattern. ANd though you may have known it in your mind already, the proof is now on the paper for all the see.

If you choose to create your diary on a paper hung on the refrigerator, be prepared. If an girlfriend is over and casually goes to help herself to a drink and reads "14 fish sticks", you may decide that eating a bit more "dainty" portions does suit you after all.

So grab the pen,get some paper and hop on that scale with a confidence that in a few short weeks, you will see some small but amazing changes. Buy the jeans, the bathing suit, the belt and do what it takes to make your body into that vision you hold in your head of a healthy strong perfect sized body.
And then BURN that diary!!

A day in the life (of a single WAHM)

2008-08-06T09:23:00.000-07:00

I think my mother thinks I'm strange. Then again, the feeling is recipricol. Why does she think I'm strange? Well, take this morning for example. She walked into my house to find me on the floor struggling to put a pillow case on one of those 5 foot long pillows. I had it pinned down with my knees like an alligator wrestler, my hair was dangling in my face,my teeth bared with the end of the pillow case gripped tight in my jaw. It was not a pretty sight. But after 10 minutes or so, I had defeated that sucker and tossed it on my daughters bed with a smug smile of triumph! I spent the last hour cleaning up her room beacuse last night she threw up all over what seems to be every stuffed animal and sheet and pillow on her bed. Miraculously, as kids seem to do, she made a 100% recovery and is now shoving her face with peanut butter crackers. I am tired from being up at 6 am with the baby , but I managed to get in an hour of computer and invoice work for one of my home businesses. I also responded to 4 e-mail orders and packed up a few orders. Not bad for one saturday morning.

Then my mother unpacks her handbag onto my counter. A small water bottle and a sandwich she made at home. She's staying for exactly 2 hours. And it isn't like I don't have food. I actually have a working refrigerator full of choices , a stove, a microwave and a toaster oven. A real 21st century kitchen but she wants a picnic, I guess. Smeared on the counter is what looks like fingerpainted peanut butter circles so I quickly attempt to clean it up. That is my pet peeve nowadays- a clean house. Never was a thought before I had kids but now I guess I am a neat freak. or maybe just a semi-neat, this- is- walkable, smells- ok, we- can- live- like -this- freak.

The baby is crying now, my daughter is running toward me with one of my high-heeled boots on and the other foot bare, telling me the toilet is "overfloating". Perhaps if she and my son didn't put half a box of wet wipes in, this wouldn't happen daily. The next thing, I'm plunging the toliet with the baby in one hand and my son and daughter are taking all the cushions off the couches to jump on them. They're screaming like banshees which makes the little guy scream too . Grabbing a bottle, I sit down to relax and feed the baby. My mother is no where in sight. When I finally find her, she is scooping the litter boxes for me. "You really need to do this more often", She tells me. I know she's right but it just seems that when I head into the laundry room, where they are, I always have huge piles of laundry in my arms.The laundry never ends.

Handing the baby to Mom, I say I need about an hour of downtime to relax in the den and do some Yoga and then some computer work. (this is the reason she is here...to give me a little "me " time ). First though, I have to replace all the pillows on the couches. Under them I find crushed pretzels. Pretzels break like safety glass in a car....into about 3500 pieces so I run the vacuum over the rugs and since I have it out, take another 20 minutes and do the whole house. A quick stop in the bathroom before my work-out leads to another delay. I pick up wet towels , scrape globs of toothpaste off the sink, get on my hands and knees and pick up what looks like chunks of my makeup that my daughter must have gotten into and add a quick lavender mist to the air to freshen it up since it smells like God only knows what.

Ok, finally my time for me! I head into the den, closing the french doors and start my practice. Big inhale. Relax. Big inhale. AAAAHHHH. SOO good and blissful to relax in the poses. I am so blessed. Then I make the mistake of glancing out the french doors into the dining room. And there is my beautiful 4 year old, grinning ear to ear, in the same triangle pose as me, mimicking my every move. It's distracting and adorable and hysterical at the same time. I give her a kiss and send her down the hall to find Mom and the boys. They are sitting on my son's bed surrounded by every single childrens book we own. That is about 132. Big breath. Relax.

Back in the den, I am almost calm on the floor in bridge pose. During Yoga, you are supposed to focus on one spot to calm the mind. I decide to focus on the spot on the ceiling. Actually, it's more like a scratch from the Christmas tree and it's bothering me more by the minute. Five minutes ago, I didn't know it was there and life was fine and now I have made a mental note that I have to repaint the celing , perhaps tonight.

When I'm done with my exercise, it's onto the computer to work on my website, enter some orders, check e-mails, pay some bills , etc. All the time I am doing this, the music from the other room is blasting out classic Disney songs like the "Bippidy Boppedy Boo" , but since my desk is out of sight from the door, the kids are content to dance like crazy without the benefit of Mommy clapping and woo-hooing like a crazed football fan.

As 2pm approaches, my mother warns me that she has to get home to start dinner for her and Dad. He has called 3 times already . They are the old-fashioned couple who's lives revolve around food and meal preperation. She tells me "We're making lamb tonight and chicken tomorrow because Stop-n- Shop had them on sale this week. Friday we'll barbeque steaks". Me, I just open the fridge and whatever is there, we eat. I can't seem to plan ahead and often am so forgetful and busy that in the morning, I'll open the microwave to heat up breakfast and find 2 potatoes that I inadvertantly forgot to put out with last night's dinner. Call me crazy, but I literally ate my whole dinner and did not even remember about the potatoes.

Mom leaves and I play with the kids for a while until dinner. Since I have no more potatoes, I opt for macaroni with meat sauce. The older 2 are arguing over who will set the table( a nightly arguement) and the baby needs a nap but has gotton used to me laying with him, which I can't do at the moment. I bounce him on one hip as the phone rings and I take an order from a customer ; "Is this a bad time?" she had asked hearing all the commotion in the backgound. "NO, perfect time", I reply with a smile . I do usually try to take orders in the quiet of the office but since most of my customers have become friends, they understand what my life is about.

I am here with the 3 kids and no husband and I run 2 businesses from home. I go to both schools for events often. I chauffer to friend's houses, I take them to swimming and gymnastics. I grocery shop. I do laundry (and even put it away at times). I am the nurse, the game player, the story teller, the book reader, the dance partner, the cook, the cleaner , the gardener, the vacation planner, the homework helper, the gift buyer and wrapper, the Santa, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, the cat feeder (and sometimes litter box scooper), the bed maker, the bath giver, the boo-boo kisser and most often, referred to simply as "Mommy" (one of my all time favorite words). And most of all, I am happy.

After dinner, there's a few more business calls to return. Then there's one big cuddle session with all 3 kids, 3 individual cuddle sessions, 4 or 5 bedtime stories , a song or 2, teethbrushing, snacks, teethbrushing again, and a important stuffed animal re-arranging and tucking in . Next I will attempt to take a hot bath and read a book. I'm in the middle of about 6 books...I have one in each room and whenever I get the chance I pick one up and read 1/2 a paragraph. Admittedley, this might not be the most organized way, but eventually I will get them all done. When summer comes and we are at the beach, I may get to read a whole page.

I still have bout 121 things on my list to do, but they'll have to wait. When I finally lay my head on the pillow each night and take a deep peaceful breath, a warm glow comes over me as I feel so thankful to God for my life, my health and my amazing beautiful children . I can find no words to explain how much I love and cherish them. And I wouldn't change a thing about my life (well, maybe I'd hire a maid..)

Every Day is a Miracle

2008-05-29T08:19:00.001-07:00

As I walked around the park this May morning , my senses were really open and alive to all the miracles around me. Not only was I blessed to be in the company of my amazing 20 month old, I got to see and hear the delightful laughs and screams of 2 little boys as they rolled down a hill as their Grandfather watched, a tiny baby resting on her Moms shoulder and an older couple walking hand in hand.

The sky was bright blue, the air crisp and the sun warm as it beat down.
I was ovewhelmed with the miracles of beauty all around me. I am grateful for all the joy I can feel in my heart . I am thankful for the love I give and receive freely.

And just as wonderful is the fact that I can be at the park with my baby, not off at work. That is the best part of working from home. Not just what I get to do, but what I what I don't get to miss-this gorgeous day with my community, my son and the strong healthy body I have been blessed with that allowed me to put one foot in from of the other, see, smell, hear and touch. Life is a miracle everyday!

Get in the drivers seat and take the road to success!!

2008-03-20T19:25:00.000-07:00

Thinking of joining a network marketing sales company and becoming a work at home mom(wahm)? It certainly is a great way to make money, be your own boss, change your life and empower yourself.
As a wahm, I have worked solely from home now for over 5 years in direct sales. I never thought I'd be in sales but I am.Our whole lives are really full of sales aren't they? Everything we have , we bought or someone bought. Also so often in life we recommend things to others: favorite stores, favorite foods, etc.. so in a way, sales are just recommending your own product but earning a check for it!

But can success come easily to everyone? As a team leader , I can say straight out that if the fire is not within you, you will just sizzle out. If the drive and commitment is not there, you will fail. If it is not in your heart to succeed, you won't. If you think you'll make money without doing any work at all , you won't.

I have had many many women sign up on my teams and drop out shortly because they "weren't making any money". I knew that would happen from the get-go when I met them. There was no drive. There was no "I WILL ACHIEVE" or "I WILL SUCCEED", there was only "I hope it works ..." or "do you think it'll work ... ?" and many of those people wouldn't spend any money on marketing.

Now marketing does NOT have to break the bank for sure......no one was more broke than I was when I started with my company, but at the very least, you have to GET THE WORD OUT about your products. You need to advertise and that does not mean just telling your 5 friends and 1 mom at the bus stop!!!
Just about every store and restaurant advertises. Why? Because it works! How did you find out about that new store across town? Guarantee it was an ad. And it's a very small investment to hand out business cards or brochures. How else will people know what you do if you're not walking and talking?
You also need to invest a small amount in your products. You have to be a product of the product. You need to know it, use it, like it and to talk with conviction to people about it. Then ,and only then, will it never feel like a job, a sales pitch or being a sales person. It will simply be your word of recommendation and people will feel your enthusiasm and genuine love of your products.

Which brings up another point. You really have to LOVE and believe in the products you are associated with. I love candles~ I use candles~ I sell candles.
And It's not just about the products too. You sell yourself and most importantly you sell the opportunity.

So it's important to choose a passion! Or be passionate about what you choose.
Another point, accept the training offered by the company. If they do training calls, be on the phone. If they have events, go to them. If they write newsletters, read them.Gravitate yourself to the circle of people earning BIG money and achieving their dreams and you will too! Find a leader who loves to share and teach her knowledge and become a student.

Be inspired.
Be a good listener
Be a life long learner
Make goals and go for them!
Be a success.
Be empowered
YOU are in the drivers seat. Which road are you going to choose?
Make tomorrow's dreams start today.

Home Scents

2008-02-22T18:14:00.000-08:00

My heart-n-soul are at home. I work from home. My children,my safe-haven, my castle, my nest.

I feel such positive energy vibrations when I am home ...I rejuvenate my soul and melt like ice when I sink into the couch to rest. I relax and recharge with a glass of cabernet, a good book , a hot bath and my super scented candles too

Why candles? Why scents?

The power of aromatherapy is UNBELIEVABLE! Candles appeal to one of our five senses and we unconsiously alter our moods based on smell alone. There is not one day that you should be in your home without it smelling amazing and just oozing with warmth, security, peace and love. Please visit my site to treat yourself and indulge your senses in a purely delicious scented gourmet candle to warm your heart and your soul.

The subtle but powerful effects of aromatherapy are well known nowadays. Burning scented candles is a great way to invigorate or relax, to soothe or offer an intimate environment, to stimulate or add ambience. Our 100%natural wax candles have quality fragrances infused thoroughout the entire candle for super long lasting true to life aromas from top to bottom.They burn virtually soot-free and leave no black on your walls or the jars. Once you burn one, you'll be "hooked on a feeling.".....

Just taking the lid off one of our jars can be treat for the senses! Memories are evoked from times in our past:

The flower scents will bring you into a spring garden bursting with freshly bloomed sweet spring flowers...lilacs, hyacinths, lavender,juniper breezes.......

The summer scents bring memories of hot clear days,the sun baking overhead, the warm ocean breezes on the beach , and the intoxicating scents of summer ...... coconut mango, sea breeze, juicy ripe watermelon, heart of the ocean .....

The heavenly food /bakery scents will make your mouth water and your stomach rumble and any visitor to your home will think you've been baking for hours.....blueberry muffin, banana nut bread, apple berry cobbler, hot apple pie., pumpkin cheesecake ........

The coffee shop scents are reminicent of walking through the doors of your favorite little cafe .That good all-over feeling of being with friends and laughing and just enjoying life.....white chocolate and coffee, hot orange danish, green tea, coffee break ......

The "clean" and "fresh" scents will make your home seem like you just brought in the linens from the laundry line out back on a spring day and the fresh breeze still lingers in the air....fresh linen, fresh laundry, rain......

The Autumn scents will remind you of the cool crisp nights, the clear blue sky and the blazing bright colors of pumpkins and leaves all aglow......Pumpkin spice, mulled cider, oranges and clove........

The Christmas scents will instill that warm cozy feeling of sitting around the fire ,with the tree all lit up, Bing Crosby on the radio and the cheer adn gratitude of the season in your heart....Christmas essence, Christmas pine, Home for Christmas, Christmas cookie......

Sign up to get yours at wholesale and empower your life even more by earning a nice income from home. It all comes back to H O M E , doesn't it?

The Inner fire of desire

2008-02-08T09:22:00.000-08:00

There is a famous saying: Whether you think you Can or you think you Can't, you're right.

When you start a business , you should start something you are passionate about, something you use and most of all, something you just LOVE!! If you BELIEVE in the product line, you will reflect this to others. People will FEEL your passion and energy for the product, they will see the joy in your face and expressions and think 'hey, this person really has a passion for this product - maybe I need to look a little further! It's all about ATTITUDE!! So a positive one is always the best way. The way of truth. The only way.

If you go into anything expecting to fail - guess what? You will fail. However if you go into a new venture expecting success - no suprise, You will succeed. Why? Mind over matter ~ Attitude~ Outlook~ The Inner Fire!

Watch the movie The Secret, and you will learn why successful people are succesful. It's not luck. It's not wishful thinking. It's a whole mindset and you can be that way too!!

Be a student of life and never stop learning or thinking positive! Learn about my Natural wax candle business and why you should be on board!You can have a successful business and be a part of a unique company that is growing 40% a year!Gourmet candles

2008-01-12T13:43:00.000-08:00

Positive thinking= positive change!

Everything that happens is a result of your thinking

Are you focused and positive?Are you a believer?

Whether you are trying to start a business, start a team or increase your sales, DO NOT FOCUS ON WHAT YOU DON"T HAVE!!! Do not say "My sales arent high enough", "I cant get team member" " I don't know if this will work" or anything like that!!!!
Whether you are trying to become healthier, change your career, or have enough money to live the life you dream of, you have the power to make the change.

Take the time to sit down, close your eyes and envision HOW you want your life. See yourself as a leader or with alot of money or in that house of your dreams. Feel the gratefullness and fulfillment!

Remember, persisitant thoughts become realities! Have an attitude of gratitude! Persistant positivity!! Never failing belief! Do not wish, Do not Hope.... BELIEVE!!!

Take the time to read uplifting self help books by Wayne Dyer, Jack Canfield, Shatki Gawain and more. Take some time to really grow as a person. Never doubt that you will be successful
and if that doubt does seep in, ...recognize it -release it- refocus!!
If you have not yet watched the movie "THE SECRET", I can't urge you enough to do so! It is changing my life, and so many people I know have benefitted from the wisdom it teaches, the positivity it enforces and the theory that thoughts are more powerful than you'd believe.

Ok, so now, make this the year to G R O W...as a person, as a business owner , as a ever-changing soul who is making her dreams reality!!
You have that power