Archive for October, 2010

October 28th, 2010

Inspiration Through Compassion

Compassion. It’s a word in need of our attention these days. Politics. Fighting. Misunderstanding. It’s enough to make one scream,”Can’t we all just get along?”

It’s something easily neglected, but so important to not just getting along, but to understanding ourselves, living a more peaceful life and also creating a business that is inspiring and radiates hope.

And isn’t that something worth aspiring too?

This year has tested my ability to be compassionate in a multitude of ways. It’s something that tests me whenever I feel a spark of anger, when I am annoyed or when I feel misunderstood.

It’s a tool that has helped me to pause, release any harboring negative emotions and to put me in the shoes of another person.

It was evident in a woman who scratched my car a few weeks ago. Her kindness, empathy, honesty and sincerity, led to my own compassion for her situation. She made it easy for me to be understanding because she was so kind.

Although compassion has prevented me from misunderstanding and reacting, compassion isn’t anything new. It isn’t new age-y or magical. But it can create magical, miraculous results.

If every time we meet an obstacle in our path and misunderstanding ensues and we can stop and put ourselves in the perspective of our clients, friends, family members, acquaintances and even strangers, how much richer would our lives be?

October 19th, 2010

Wanna Know How to Write to Inspire? A Professional Answers

Awhile back I took a course on inspiring writing from Writer’s Digest. Our professor, Gloria Kempton is an expert at what she does, a published author with several books to her name. Just check out her website and see for yourself.

That’s why I was extra excited to ask her if she’d be willing to help demystify the concept of inspirational writing. I asked her a few questions about it such as, “What is it and how can you learn to inspire others?” And she willingly replied.

Hope these answers will help inspire you to inspire others through your own writing endeavors!

How would you define inspirational writing and can it be applied to all types of writing?

Inspirational writing is any kind of writing that inspires others. It used to be that the Christian publishing industry thought they had a corner on inspirational writing, but no more. Inspirational writing can run the gamut from Christian to New Age to Chicken Soup for the Soul. You’ll find it in many of the commercial markets; miracle stories of healing of body and soul, articles about yoga and meditation, stories of courage and heroism, and many, many other types. Inspirational writing encourages, inspires, and enlightens; it speaks to the reader’s higher self.

What key concepts do you think are important to include in any article of writing that inspires others?

Writing that inspires others should be positive while being honest. It should enlighten while refraining from the “woo-woo” kind of tone. It can refer to God with the understanding that the word, God, means something different to every reader. It calls the reader to be her best self while not pushing her beyond where she’s able to go in the moment. It doesn’t preach and honors everyone’s unique path. It never judges and makes room for anyone and everyone who is open to becoming his or her best self.

You can find out more about Gloria on her website Writer’s Recharge.


Hi there! Glad you stopped by!

You’ve found one of my blogs on everything inspiring.  I also have one on writing and freelancing tips for new writers and entrepreneurs here. If you are in search of a writer to get all of your words in order, I’d love to work with you!

I am a published writer, blogger, and copywriter that can help you with all of your writing needs. You can find out more about me here.

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October 15th, 2010

Inspiring Links for Friday

I get so oogly googly-eyed excited when I randomly click on a new website that’s inspiring!

It’s another blog to visit. Another inspiring post to read.

I started sharing a few on my Facebook page, but decided to share them with you here too.

Then, I thought, why not do it every week?

So I’m starting a new series of post which features blogs and websites that are doing something fun, creative and exciting. And I hope you’ll join me by posting your own favorite website links in the comments below. And pick and choose and explore like we did in Paris just a month ago.

Here we go:

The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur – Isn’t that such a great title? It caught my eye for sure. But what lured me in for good was all the goodies (some free) for entrepreneurs. There’s lots of fun stuff here like a 3 minute video called, “Deciding How to Blog.” But my favorite is this, “55 Ways on How to Find Your Hidden Talent.” This guy’s got a book to back his stuff up. But entrepreneurs take note! He’s also got a unique spin on being a “toilet paper entrepreneur” that’s fun and factual. A winning combination that makes people interested, entertained and wanting to come back.

Creative Thursday – This is me being a bit selfish. I love this blog because it is creatively inspiring. It’s visually attractive and I love her tagline, “I believe everyone is creative.” It got me thinking, “Why didn’t I think of that?!” When your eyes get tired from reading too much text (sorry if it’s cause of me) then go here for much needed R&R for the eyes as in lots of eye candy!

74 Lime Lane - Kellie of 74 Lime Land had me at: 74 Ways to Be Inspired. Her series caught my eye because I’m all about the inspiration. Here, she interviews various artists on what they find inspiring to help creative entrepreneurs.

Martha Beck’s blog – If you like your inspiration handed to you quirky style, you’ll love my favorite author’s blog. Her videos are hilarious and yet always end up inspiring me.

That’s it for now! Have a glorious weekend!

October 11th, 2010

What’s Up With You Lately and How You Can Use It to Inspire Others

Ah there’s something amiss. Did you see it? Have you felt it?

It’s you.

Covered under a wave of insecurity and oblivion. Too busy to notice the “you” that’s in process.

I was watching Oprah the other day and admiring the women who courageously put themselves on the line to start change in life. It was so inspiring that I almost forgot myself in the process.

Have you ever done that? And are you doing that now?

Bypassed the triumphs, celebrations, and obstacles you’ve overcame because you were too busy and obsessed with what others have done?

It’s easy to overlook your own successes when, for example, you think about how far you are from where you want to go. Or when you look over your shoulder and sit in the shadow of someone else’s grandeur.

It’s easy and understandable, but if this post reminds you to stop doing so, then that’s a good thing. Because remembering what makes you unique and embracing your own journey can only help lift you higher and get your business going farther, if you do so.

Next time you catch yourself looking over your brother’s shoulder, smile, be happy for him, then take a bow. Because something tells me that if you’re reading this, you too have come along way from the difficulties and adversity in your own life. And for that you need to celebrate, be grateful, cherish who you are and be proud of sharing your obstacles with others.

That’s how you become inspiring. And that’s how you transform where you are into the dream you have for yourself.

So good luck, my friends! And standing ovation for you all.

October 8th, 2010

Guest Posting on Being Inspiring

Sorry if I’ve been MIA lately! But I recently got a magazine article idea accepted and have been researching like crazy!

I have also been hopping over and visiting other bloggers. Lucky for me a facebook friend I admire asked me to write something over at her blog Making Baby Grand and I happily obliged.

It’s all about bringing inspiration to your life.

You can check out the post here.

Have a great weekend!

October 5th, 2010

Getting in Touch With Your Inspiring Side

In my twenties, two things happened to me that put me on a road to publication and shifted me to a career I never thought I deserved or believed to be possible.

1. My poem was accepted by Blue Mountain Arts in 2004. When I was in my early-20′s I had a deeply hidden desire to be a writer. But I didn’t pursue it because a) I adopted my parents’ belief that a writer wasn’t a practical or even a real job that could be pursued b) I didn’t think I had it in me.

Though I denied it, I was moved to write. I used to write poems and little letters with drawings on them and leave them hidden for my mom, dad or grandparents to find. And I was still writing opinion pieces for my local newspaper, but up until then I never got paid for publication in a book. {This was my first real experience as a published writer.}

One day I was deeply touched by the selflessness and wisdom of my mother and all mothers-the way she taught me the little things as a child (brush your teeth, look both ways before you cross the street, etc.) and then the bigger things (how to love, etc.) as I got older. I wrote a quick poem, made a copy of it with our photo on it and framed it for her for Mother’s Day.

On a whim, I also sent it into a card company I admired.

Imagine my surprise when I received a letter saying it would be published in a calendar and a book! read more »

October 4th, 2010

The Blessings of Failure

Failure. It’s something I’ve written a lot about. I wrote about here, for example.

I write about it a lot because I have tons of experience at it.

In fact, when my husband and I were racking our brain thinking up new article ideas for me to query, he said, “You have to write about something you’re good at. I know! Failure!”

Yep, it definitely was not the answer I was expecting. But there it was. And while I’ve always written about how to beat failure, I’ve never thought about failure as a blessing.

But it is.

It was after watching J.K. Rowling’s Harvard commencement speech that I was reminded about the power of failure. Rowling puts it so eloquently, articulately and honestly that you can’t help but be inspired by it.

It’s 10 minutes long and worth it. But if you don’t have the time, fast forward to her words on failure. It’s 7:10 in.

She says inspiring things like this, “It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all, in which case you fail by default.”