Change of location!!! - MUST READ!!

As of today, I have moved my blog to a new location and will no longer be updating posts here. Please visit www.constantchangetoday.com as I have now incorporated my website and my blog into one location to make it easier for everyone. I could not have done this without the help of CH, and I owe him much more than a Starbucks coffee!! I still have lots to share and look forward to seeing you all at WWW.CONSTANTCHANGETODAY.COM

Planting the seed

I love to plant the seed and walk away. Not the seeds in the garden, but the seeds in your soul and heart. I have been asked before why I do not have a different vocation that would make me more involved with the people that come into my office and I love not being that involved. Not to say I do not care, that is not what I mean. I mean, I love to plant the seed. I am reminded of my first meeting with CR and the 15 minutes I spent talking to her one night as her mom and Rocky sat close by. You never know when something you say or did will come back as a memory that gets passed along in another way to someone else or that it will actually find its way back to you. Nothing makes my heart soar more than knowing that I was able to help someone else. When you how you handle yourself in a difficult situation or you show how much you love what you do, people notice. They can't help it. People are watching when we think they aren't. Sometimes I am reminded of how a few simple words, even if it is, "What did you learn in school today?" can tell a teenager that you care. We all can plants seeds, if we make the attempt. But you have to try and it has to be deliberate. Seeds don't get planted by chance. They can grow even in dark places where there seems to be no hope. But the seed will not grow if it has not been planted. It stays forever a seed, hidden away, with unfulfilled potential all wrapped up in a neat little package. But have you ever seen a seed grow? It doesn't matter if it is an apple seed or a walnut tree seed...they all grow into their full potential when given the chance to be planted. What seeds do you hold that need to be planted? Where are you going to plant them? Remember that you need to share them with everyone...do not prejudge who should receive the seed and who should not. Even if you plant the seed in a place where you think it has no chance of growing, miracles happen all the time. Seeds are meant to grow...plant your seeds and make some grow into their full potential.

When does it start?

I met a friend for lunch today and she brought her daughter who I had never met before so it was good for me to meet her as well as I loved catching up with CS. Her daughter loves to play basketball, but she doesn't play anymore. I asked her why not, and even though she wouldn't tell me, I drove away wondering, "Is that when it starts?" When we allow others to dictate what we do. When we start to overthink about how it looks to others. When we believe more about what others think than what we think. When are we going to be strong enough to start ignoring all the mumbo jumbo that gets thrown at us every day? When? Does it start when you are 10 and have no idea what life is really like? How many of us would love to know what we know now, but go back and use that knowledge to maybe change some things we wish we could have done differently? I was given a wonderful book for my birthday from Rocky this past year and it's about women who wrote themselves a letter at a particularly difficult time in their life, based on what they learned from going through that experience. I have often thought about completing an exercise similar to that, but not sure what event was so pivotal in my life that a letter would make a difference. I have learned a lot about why I am the way I am and cannot think of one single thing that happened when I can recollect when my life took a dramatic turn. Let's assume that we may never know when we stop believing in ourselves and allow others dictate what we do next. Does it even have to start? No, it doesn't. That is why the G.I.F.T. exists...because we don't want it to start. One member, SM has a daughter and she is trying to teach her not to be afraid of life, regardless of what life shows you. What is we encouraged this generation of pre-teens, teens, and young women to never have fear and to always show their MOXIE? When you have one woman who refuses to back down from prejudice and taunts made by others. Courage comes in many forms and in many ways. It means being strong when you feel your knees getting ready to buckle. It means smiling when you know the tears are just ready to fall. It means believing more in yourself regardless of what is said about you. It means it doesn't have to start, but needs to end. Most of the time, I say "It Starts Today", but in this case I will say, "It ends today."

Dare to be you

That is the hardest assignment we will ever have. No tests in school, no reviews, and no study hall can ever prepare us to accept this assignment. We also have to appreciate that we are going to fail when we get side-tracked and let our attentions be swayed by others' thoughts and/or actions. You will find great success in simply being you. I have never really had the courage before now to be me. I mean, really allowed my heart to soar and let it guide me. I think I was afraid that others wouldn't like me and I wanted to be accepted. But when I stopped caring about what others think (to an extent), I also in turn shut them all out. Sometimes being us is all we know...it is what makes us unique and special. I have a co-worker who is nervous about doing something new and letting others see her for the beautiful woman she is inside. She anticipates the worst scenario and is holding on to that bar on the rollercoaster with both hands, white-knuckles, and probably half-leaning over the side, just in case she needs to be sick. We all feel like that from time to time, but I need help her see that she can still have control over how she interacts with those around her. She can control her thoughts. I know I was not someone who took a lot of risks and still don't. I don't like the way it makes me feel. But I have learned to not be so afraid of things anymore. Part of being you means allowing others in and exploring what your life could be. It means that people will gravitate to you because of what they see and know about you, not because of what they guess about you. You will experience joy like never before, even if you can't explain why. I was NEVER vulnerable in front of others and kept it all bottled up inside. Now, I can cry at three words just said, and I have broken down in front of others, not caring that I did so. We all deserve you...all of you...and that is the gift you were blessed to give the rest of us. When you tell yourself, "I can't do that" - ask yourself, "Why not?", Who says you can't? Why can't you? Don't sell yourself short before you have had a chance to sell it to TO yourself. Dare to be you...it is all you ever need and is an easier assignment than you think. You cannot fail at something you were born to do. Don't let fear dictate who I see in you...dare to be you.

Little things...

About six months ago, I gave a recent college graduate a little book that I thought would inspire her to "Live Happy" as she embraced this new part of her life. I wanted it to be a reminder that living happy (or sad) is a choice and that she ultimately had control over how she chose to live. Yesterday, with this community being as small as it is, I was reminded that a co-worker has a connection to the young woman I gave it to and it was suggested that the co-worker's son read it. Now, the co-worker had seen my outer transformation and I had told her the story of "Rocky and me". Kitty...the real story is so much more boring than everyone perceives it to be, which I find kind of funny. Sorry...got off task for a moment. I stood there as this was unfolded to me, and I had forgotten about the book I had given SH months ago. I had hoped she read it and also gave her some CD's that I had hoped would inspire her too, but then to hear that she is giving it to someone else to read made me smile. Little things that we do or say can stick with someone and then you hear about the impact that those things had on someone else's life can take your breath away. I know it does to me. Little things don't have to cost you a thing and don't take a great deal of time...they are something so minute that someone may never notice anyway. But someday, it will come back to you and in ways you never would have guessed. Introduce yourself to someone new at work...pick up a piece of trash on the floor...actions and words inspire others to do the same. It becomes a virus that can spread and then when it covers most of this world, we can all say it started with just a "little thing>"

Be amazing!

When you read those two words, what do you think? Some people will think that they have to do something extraordinary or that someone else needs to notice some act or words before YOU accept that you can be amazing with so little effort. Here is the secret to being amazing....just be YOU!!! I was sent a little "angel" via an email from GZ and she thanked me for being an "angel" in her life. Now, you may ask, "Why are you an angel?" Well, I can tell you that I have never sat with her in the emergency room (I would), I haven't saved her when her car ran out of gas (I have done that for another friend); we have never even been to lunch yet together. I do give her a hug every time I see her and thanked her yesterday for sharing herself and and her smile with me every day. As I think of another amazing woman in my life, my eyes are tearing up and I am not even sure why. She would know why. Open the door for someone...think of others before you think of yourself...give with your whole heart...share deeply...love unconditionally. I have many people in my life who can be less than amazing and then I am so ever grateful for those that make my life so much more wonderful. Amazing is something that any one of us can be, and it is not how we see ourselves...it is how others see us. If we are given such a compliment as, "You are simply amazing!", we need to take it. Take it with humbleness and with honor...those words are not just said to say them. They are said with conviction and pride and I am so very blessed to know amazing people who share their lives with me every day. My beautiful, gracious sisters are not just my sisters but also my friends and I treasure them and miss them more than they ever know. Your task for today, should you choose to accept it (LOL), is to be amazing by being you. Notice others and let them know that they amaze you. You might make their day and you will smile too.

Can't wish for what you want

You can't hope for it, either. Doing all the wishing and hoping doesn't get you any closer to what you want...it can leave you empty. Only if you let it. What do you want? What are you willing to do to get there? Are you willing to take night classes for two years so you can get your degree and move onto a better job? Are you willing to take a second job to pay for your daughter's dance classes? Are you willing to allow yourself to want something different? I was talking with LP yesterday at work and when people say they want something, they are afraid to admit it outloud for several reasons. One, they are afraid they will be wrong...no one likes to fail, espeically in front of others. I know I am guilty of that one. Second, they don't want to be accountable to anyone...someone might actually encourage them to make a change and that can be frightening. Third, they are afraid to commit...what happens if I change my mind? Today is a special day for me...today is the 2nd anniversary of when my life took a hard left to some place I did not know I was going and have been traveling this road ever since. I did not see my life as being here, right now, when I got up on January 4th, 2010. It was going to be like any other day, or so I thought. Needless to say, I am not in the same place I was, nor am I the same person. In two years, I have allowed my heart to feel like never before and have set aside the walls I had spent a lifetime building. I have given more than I ever thought I could. I have dedicated to people that I am truly grateful to have in my life and use Rule 22 as a guide in telling them what they mean to me. I have used the words I know to share ideas, thoughts, and perspectives on this blog as it has become an online journal of life as we know it. No, I could never have wished for this, but I am humbled that He had to show it to me and I had to trust it before I would fully understand that this is indeed what I want. Thank you.

Happy New Year!

As we embrace this new year and all of its ventures yet unlived and views yet unseen, we take time to also reflect on where we have just come. 2011 was full of wonderful memories, precious times, and people that I love. I treasure every snapshot I can recollect and will always treasure my yesterdays. Some memories make me laugh and giggle, and others bring tears - both happy and sad. I had to live the experiences in 2011 so that I could get to 2012 and be ready for all that has in store for me. I know not where I am headed, but with my hands held high and loved ones around me, I have no doubt that it will be another fabulous year. I am sure it will be full of stumbles I will take, runs I will make, and people I will not forsake. I expect to fully "embrace this journey" and learn as much about being "my best self" to this life I have been given. Won't you join me? Happy New Year.

The winds of life

Today was the first day in about a month that I went out for my walk. I know, I am not at my running pace, but I needed to get outside and enjoy the sun. But as I was walking more normal route, I encountered the winds. But I found that the winds reminded me of life. At times, the winds seem to be still, as I just kept my pace with everything else with no real effort on my part as I traveled the hard asphalt underneath the rubber soles laced on my feet. Other times, I found myself almost being carried by the winds, as it gently allowed me to rise above the ground I was firmly planted on and float. Then, it felt as if I was walking right into a brick wall, moving forward meant taking a step back and forging ahead. Those winds reminded me of life. It seemeed like just when I thought I knew the winds were coming out of the south, something would hit me from the north. Life is like the winds...it gives us calmness and a status quo when things are moving along normally, with no real big events either good or bad. We sometimes feel like we are flying, like no one can take the wind of our our sails because we are riding on excitement and are loving the ride. Then, there are the struggles, the hardships, and the moments of pain that feel like we are unable to move forward. We get stuck and shut people out because doing what's easy becomes our focus. Life is like the winds I encountered today...changing at the drop of a hat, never really telling me what is just around the corner. The winds are something you feel, so you they are there, but you can use them to make life what it is...an adventure. Love the winds!

Ignite!

We have all seen something catch fire, to become totally engulfed, and then become tiny particles of ash. But, my most fsavorite part is just to see something being ignited....to see just the spark to get its life at the starting gate. When you know that going back is not an option. I love to see it in little flare ups, when no one is looking, but I notice. When some else's life can be different because of some deed done or words said. It all matters. My dad sent me a video this week that reminds me of the way we can ignite something in others, but words we say. I am sure that you will love this video as much as I do... http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=Hzgzim5m7oU&vq=medium Now, after watching that, how does that makes you feel? That taking just a few moments of your time can change EVERYTHING for someone else, without expecting anything in return. I have seen the sun shine in my office and I have seen people be more than they ever thought they could be because of the desire to be more. We all need a little encouragement...something to get us thinking, something to get us feeling, something to get us living again. Ignite courage in others so they don't have to live in fear...ignite strength in others so they forget their weaknesses...ignite the soul so that the head knows it no longer leads...ignite the role you were meant to play...ignite the Army of One to allow others to follow...ignite the light so others may see...ignite!