That thing you do

Nothing makes me happier than watching people do their thing. I love to watch my husband coach baseball. He loves it and he BLOOMS when he does it --for those of you that know him, please do not tell I said that. He doesn't read this so I know I am ok to post this here. I love to watch our middle son play the guitar; I love to watch our oldest show off his nursing skills and play baseball; and I love to watch our youngest son playing his sports and singing in show choir. Have you ever really seen people you love DOING THAT THING THEY DO?? Isn't is awesome?!? Watching other people shine is FANTABULOUS!! I love watching my sisters tend to their kids; I love watching Rock help others with their fashion sense. And I get to be a part of it. I could sit back and watch people do their thing all day. I forget when I am doing that thing I do, because it comes so naturally that I don't even realize it. What is that thing you do? Have you found it yet? Have you started looking? It is not difficult to find it, because you just have to answer some questions and then it happens. Without any warning, it comes to you and you know it is right. Because through all of the struggles, you still pick it because it is YOU. I did not know what my "thing" was until I was asked the question by you know who. Then, I had to answer it and not just say the words, but actually figure out what to do about it. I needed to tap into what I knew, what I thought would work, and most of the time, I threw my hands up in the air and just let things fall into place as they were meant to. That was really hard for me -- still is. I am used to trying to control things and when I can't, it feels like I am on the "teacups" spinning out of control. But when I am in the "zone", everything takes care of itself, even if I didn't plan it that way. You just never know when doing your thing inspires others to do their thing and so on and so on. So...DO THAT THING YOU DO!!!

Out live your life

I spent Friday evening with KR and LL and LL leaned over and whispered to me, "Out live your life." She said, "What does that mean toyou?" I have been thinking about this since then, not quite sure how to answer her. I am not really that sure I know, but I am going to take my best guess. I interpret that to mean that I need to live more, be more, give more than what life shows me. I extended the years I am on this earth by living more. My impact on others may live long past that, but right now I am here. I am here for a reason and my task is to outlive my life. To give it all I have, every day. To knock on doors that otherwise I might have walked right passed and to open up people's minds to something new, to see that there is hope. When others can take even baby steps to make their lives different, that is how they start to outlive their lives. Why do we wait so long to start living? I am not just asking you, as I was not living for the majority of my life. Then, something unexplained happened to me. I opened my heart and soul to the thought of living. I told complete strangers that I saw their potential and watch it grow into what I see before me. I received a text today from KD today about an opportunity that she has on Monday. She is trying to get an opportunity to shine and I know once she walks in that door, she will show everyone exactly what she can do. Believe, girl!! Show your MOXIE. As I was reflecting today about all of the little episodes that have occured in my past that have tried to give me glimpses of what I should be doing, I have to laugh. I did not realize what it meant at the time. Little things like giving a retirement speech in front of 300 people...talking after a meeting, surrounded by 10 ladies who are there to just listen...volunteering to teach the Junior Achievement Program. The signs were all there. I wasn't ready to see them or did not put them together. The G.I.F.T. ladies received a list of questions about how they find their dream and what they are passionate about last month. I might not have wasted so much time had I discovered those questions some years ago. Looking back, I have discovered my true passions...I love to talk - no comments from those that know me personally - I love to work with youth - I love to see women grow and live the promise they are meant to live - I love to write. Make your life mean something to others. Impose such an impact that it would be impossible for anyone not to remember you. I once questioned that of someone - if she would remember me. I have NO DOUBT that she will. UNCONDITIONALLY. Forever. Out live what you think you supposed to do...your life is meant to be shared with others. Don't just live your life...out live it.

Starting a ripple

Many times, I do not realize or really comprehend the effects of something I say or do and how those good things can positively impact others. In fact, I probably dismiss it more than I should. I am getting better, though. I was visiting with someone Friday and although the quote may be off slightly with a few words and I do not know who said it, it is VERY true. "If you tell a woman she is beautiful 100 times, she will will never believe you. If you tell a woman she is ugly once, she will believe you forever." People have been very supportive and encouraging as they have been there and watched the transformation of me and I have tried to diminish those compliments when they come. I don't believe them, but I need to in order to continue "the change I want to see in the world." I also visited with GZ on Saturday - love to see your smile - and she told me that she and DB put their hands up every day. The best part is only they know what it means, just like the many, many things that Rock and I share. Sometimes, we forget where we are - sorry, G.I.F.T. ladies. That was not my intention the other night. But in talking with these two ladies, I was reminded about what we have started - something different, something new, something that will awaken you. I have started a ripple effect on everyone that I meet, and I did not realize that I had done that. Even without really trying. Ripples can travel a far distance across whatever surface they are traveling and come in contact with many people along the way. I am amazed when people have suggested to other ladies that they come to the G.I.F.T. because they see the benefit in it and want to include them. When the ripple starts to lessen in strength, I drop another stone and create a new ripple that reaches out again. The ripple of this blog reaches across the globe to many other countries - people that I have never met, but somehow found me and keep coming back to read more - and it started with me telling just a few friends. You can be that ripple. Don't wait for it to come to you. Be excited to join a ripple and share it with others, like my G.I.F.T. friends are doing. Let your passion guide you and it will not be something you even think about. Do what you love. Share it with others. Start a ripple...it will be contagious.

When dreams come true

Dreams are awesome. They take us to places we only wish we could go. But not all dreams end there. Some dreams want a life of their own...a living, breathing life. It nags at us, when we are trying to carry on and ignore it. Those dreams are fueled not just by everyday thoughts and wishes, but something deeper. Something from our soul. Something that can never be dismissed as insignificant. Overlooking them is not an option. But pursuing them can be scary and doubt creeps in just to see what you are made of and how far you are willing to go. Fear and doubt are the biggest obstacles when we are faced with the choice to continue forward or remain where we are. Dreams are the way our true heart's desires and passions speak to us and make us think about they way things COULD be. Walt Disney said, "All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them." What are you made of? Are you willing to take ONE STEP...just ONE...to get you closer to your dream? In the next week, one of my dearest, closest friends will see her dream become reality. As much as she might have some nervousness about this new chapter in her life, she also has so much excitement that I am not sure she sleeps very well at night. I have watched the dream go from every step to get her to here and have, at times, been an active participant in the pursuit of that dream. It has been a voyage where I have seen her through the ups and (minor) downs as she pursued her vision for what her heart has been telling her for a long time. Very shortly, her dream is will no longer be a dream or a hallucination. It is her new reality and she had the MOXIE to follow it. She did this and I am so proud and happy for her. Dreams can come true...what are your dreams telling you? Are you listening? Do you have the moxie to take that one step closer to making your dream your reality? It doesn't happen over night...be patient...and it will happen. ABSOLUTELY it will.

Life is in front of you - Run at it!

No, this is not a request for physical exercise, but it is exercise for your soul and you CANNOT ignore it any longer. The time is now. Remember....it starts today. Your heart is begging for attention and you dismiss what you get glimpses of because you have doubt. I look back at snapshots of my past and now realize that I was having my best moments when I always did what came naturally to me. I didn't have to think about it and those are still my best moments. Look at your past and identify what brings you joy...pure joy...it has been there and you know it. There is just about nothing else that brings me the most joy in watching others find their joy. Even joy for me does not equal the joy I see and feel from those that I love when they are "doing that thing they do". It is magical and heaven but it is all wrapped in someone that is with me and that makes it real. Life can be magical and heaven - but you have to go get it. It will not come to you. We get stuck in our daily routines and are on "auto-pilot" most days. Nothing surprising happens, and we don't MOVE towards our goals or even take time to dream about them. If you want something different, you have to do something different. You will see a transformation that will take your breath away and make other people say, "WOW!" when you walk by or give them a smile. You will feel like nothing could ever stop you. And once you are there, you will love it. But, you have to get there. Your life is here and now and you have everything you ever wanted to do in front of you. I spoke to BC last week and she told me that it was "too late for her" to follow her dream. I told her that the only time it is ever too late is when you are in the ground. Don't wait. It is there...right now. Can you see it? You want to. Can you feel it? You want to. I know it's hard and you are afraid. But you will find out exactly how strong you are the more you push yourself to do more. Be more. Feel more. Give more. Love more. Enjoy more. Live more. Life is here and now...no more running away. That is only a temporary reprive from everything you don't want. Begin running towards something that you love and are passionate about and you will amaze yourself. Afterwards, you will sit back and say, "I did that." You will learn what your heart and soul want you to finally listen to and do. RUN AT LIFE!! Have a GREAT day!

Are you listening?

Are you listening? Not just pretending to hear, but really listen? When we take time to quiet all of the other voices going on around us, and listen to what our hearts are trying to tell us? We have to make that time. HAVE TO! We all are busy in our daily lives, with kids, spouses, work, other responsibilities, etc. It seems like it never ends. I know time is my biggest enemy. I need more of it or need to use it more wisely to accomplish more. I really am trying to listen because there seems to be signs and occurances that seem to be trying to get my attention. I have to listen to whatever is being shared with me. Some times our plans do not seem to serve those we are meant to serve in our life. I am meant to serve others with my ramblings here and in person. I don't hear what I say when I am talking to others but have been told after the fact that it was neat to watch. I have never seen it and I am such a hard critic of myself, that maybe me watching it would not be a good idea. Listen to those that seek you out - they are coming to you for advice or help. Be willing to share what you have with them. They will always remember that. Listen to what is not said - sometimes we learn more from a touch, from a smile, from a kind gesture. It costs you nothing and you may have just made someone's day by saying, "hello". Listen to your heart - it will never steer you wrong and will provide you with all of the answers you seek. Use your heart as your internal compass and it will ultimately guide you to where you are meant to be. Listen to the joy when you can give it away. It is too much for you and you are repaid two-fold when you give it to someone else. Be humble and appreciative for where you come from, how you are today, and what road you must still travel. If you choose to listen, you will be amazed at what you hear. But you have to be open and really concentrate...even on those things that never make a sound. Those are the ones we all search for, but you know it when you find it. Don't ever let go.

Listen to your heart

I have been wide awake since about 3am my time. I am not even sure why. I am anxious to get back out and run again this morning as the temperature is a balmy 55 degrees. YAY!! I am sure my inability to rollover and get more shut eye may have something to do with some of the work I have to do for these new ventures/projects, but do not really feel overwhelemed by them. I have no expectations (other than I expect to do them well), but really whatever happens after they are done is ok with me. If it is something that gets done once and then we move on, I am ok with that. However, I think they may actually lead to other avenues yet to show themselves. In fact, as I was telling a friend yesterday about these new ventures, she wanted to include me on her list of possible classes that her clients would need to take. We will see. I just know that the more I share more of my passion for helping kids and adults see what life has to offer them, the more I feel alive. Like I am finally giving the world my self, my true self. I have hidden it for so long that I was asked recently that if I had to choose between putting money in my pocket or following my heart (with no guarantee of money), I would have to pick following my heart. I have told this same friend that it is not always about money, and it isn't. You can make more money, but you cannot always follow your heart. Money cannot guarantee your dream coming true. Pursuing your dream and making it a reality will reward in more ways than you can ever imagine. You feel alive...you feel happy...you feel complete. I have said that I cannot stop this momentum and have to at least say I tried it. Maybe it works out, maybe it doesn't. Maybe it works out better than I ever imagined, or maybe it crashes beyond all repair. I have to try. Do you have something that is tugging at your heart that you have to try? That just seems to be nagging at you, even though you have tried to ignore it, but it will not go away? It will keep presenting itself to you in an attempt to get your attention. When are you going to listen? You have to quiet your mind and listen to your heart...it will take you where you need to go. Be brave. Be strong. Hold true to what you believe. Listen to what is being said. Then act on it. It will never go away until you do something about it. You have to try.

Life changes!

In one day, I think my life has dramatically changed in a matter of a couple of hours. This morning,I went for a run with Rock...we are starting to get back into our regular routine. It was great weather and I cannot wait until temperatures are more consistent where I don't need two pairs of gloves, long johns, a stocking cap, and a heavy jacket. She asked me if I felt any different about my life since taking some chances in the last two weeks. I told her, "No" because essentially my life is the same as it was before I took those chances. Nothing had changed. She told me that she thought I was different than I was two weeks ago - I asked her to explain. She told me that she doesn't hear the doubt and questions that I had before. She is right...I don't have them. Have you ever felt like you are on a wave in the ocean, but you don't worry about getting sucked under the water and fear of drowning; you don't think about how long you will be riding the wave; and you don't think about what others will think of you if you fall off the wave??? That is where I am. Today, I had a lunch with an aquaintance that I met through work, but we have never really sat and visited with each other before. I had mentioned to her previously in an email that I wanted to share my vision with her and what kind of impact I thought it could make on our community. Within 5 minutes of hearing my idea, she told me that she wanted me to be on her team to help her with something that she is doing. We agree that we can pull our resources and make it better. It was so exciting!! Last week, I had also reached out to another source that could help with a similar vision with a different audience and I received some very complimentary words today. I have some tweaking to do on some things, but we will get together in May to go over everything in greater detail. The crazy thing is the implementation for both will take place probably this fall. Maybe instead of saying I am on a wave, maybe it would be more appropriate to say I am in a whirlwind right now. It is so hard to explain this to people who are not there, but I can see it in those that are there. I can see the way their eyes light up and they get excited hearing me talk and share like there is no tomorrow. Momentum is an amazing force that will carry us where we want to go. I just never thought it would be here, but I am going to love this ride!