June 12th, 2009

Out of Commission

I’ve been out sick, out of commission for two days now, drinking my 7-up, OJ and chicken noodle soup, hoping to get back to being inspired.  And it got me thinking…why is it so hard for us to listen and take care of ourselves when we’re healthy and especially when we get sick?

In between resting and blowing my nose, I started thinking about how smart our bodies are in telling us when we need to take a break.  I, for example, began feeling tired from last weekend but I kept forcing myself to work my day job, go to the gym and then come home and start writing at night.  The effects left my wrist sore, my eyes red and me feverish by Thursday evening.  

Spending time at home doing nothing, I realized that there will always be more things to do at the top of my to do list, but that taking time to relax should be a priority.  So my challenge for you is to take some time whether it’s 5 minutes or 15, to spend time doing nothing.  Get comfortable sitting in silence and see what kinds of things come up for you.  

I think we need to disconnect and tune out from the technological world we live in today and take some time to just be.  You might find it uncomfortable or you may find that it brings you peace.  Just try and see.  Who knows?  It might become a part of your routine and prevent you from getting a full blown sickness like me.

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June 11th, 2009

Blissful Dream or Perfect Nightmare? You Get to Decide!

When my 9 to 5 is quickly putting me in humdrum mode, I dream about what I would do if I could do anything.  Sometimes I’m Carrie Bradshaw typing away on my Apple laptop and having lunches with friends and other times I envision working at a magazine.  Have you ever let your inner child loose too and imagined what it would be like if you could live the life of your wildest fantasies?  

If you have, I bet you never thought that you could actually make that dream come true.  And I’m talking everything from a chocolatier to a TV Producer.  “If you dream it, they will come.”

There’s a company called, “Vocation Vacations” that let you test-drive your dream job for one to three days.  This way you can actually make your dreams come true, experience the job for yourself and in the eyes of a mentor and then decide if it’s still a fantasy or a nightmare.

The downside?  The price is a bit steep ranging from $549-1199.  However, this might be worth the investment if it saves you time and money and furthers your decision to follow your dreams.  Check out their website for more info.

Categoryjob, Resources | CommentNo Comments »

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June 9th, 2009

Now What?!

You’ve done it!  You’ve made that big decision, dealt with your feelings of impending fear and doom, and you’ve acted on it.  So now what?!  

In Martha Beck’s book Finding Your Own North Star, that period between your old and new self is where “square one” takes place.  So if you’re experiencing even more fear now than before and questioning if you made the right decision, know that you’re on the right path.  Square one is all about figuring out who you are now.  

Now that for example, you’re _____ (Pregnant, married, divorced or unemployed?  Fill in the blank with your change in identity here.), you might feel like you’re going through an identity crisis.  This decision may have caused a change in who you thought you were or who you thought you would become.  

The best way to deal?  

  1. Look forward not behind.  Remind yourself of why you made the decision in the first place and focus on that.
  2. Get protected.  Protect yourself by surrounding yourself with others who have gone through similar circumstances or read about them in books or online.  Find great friends and loved ones who you can rely on to vent during these uncertain times.
  3. Be kind to yourself.  Know that what you’re feeling is normal and realize that you’ll eventually get through it.  Most importantly, it’ll be a whole lot easier, the faster you’re able to accept yourself and your situation.

Carmel

CategoryInspirational Stories, job, Life | CommentNo Comments »

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June 8th, 2009

Reach for Success

I subscribe to newsletters from “Green Career Central,” written by its founder Carol McClelland, PhD.  It’s a great resource for anyone looking into a new career and specifically for those on a hunt for an eco-friendly one.  In her recent newsletter she included a link to a video about the “8 Secrets of Success” by Richard St. John.  The video was so compelling that I decided to include it here.  If you’ve got 3 minutes, take a look see.  You may find answers to the questions you’re looking for.  I know I did!

[ted id=”70″]

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June 5th, 2009

Giving It All Up Ain't So Bad

You know the saying, “One door opens as another one closes,” or “let go and let God?” In the moment of surrender, our once empty hands often become filled with a life better than we had planned. Yet, in moments of despair all we want to do is hold on tight, grasping anything and everything around us.

When there is nothing visible in front of us, we can either blindly and courageously take the next step or we can turn around and return to the path we’ve already crossed. Each step either gets us that much closer to our goals or that much further away.

Recently, I spoke to a friend who decided to finally let go of a job that was holding her back. Although she was applying to other positions left and right, it was only after she made up her mind to resign from the former position, that a better offer came along.

I’ve heard this story multiple times before. It’s the story of how when Oprah finally surrendered and let go of her expectations to be in The Color Purple, that she scored the role.  Or how a guest on her show said he “gave up” on his dream that Oprah would see his performance in Chicago and then Gayle King showed up instead.

Sometimes the right decision is the one that is the scariest, that pulls us uncomfortably out of our comfort zones and face our own insecurities and self-doubt. Only when we let go, surrender and have faith will that unseen force materialize supporting our next step towards our dreams.

Sunset

CategoryFacing Fears, Inspirational Stories | Comment2 Comments »

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June 4th, 2009

A Poem to Inspire

I’m leaving you with a short poem I wrote in October of 2007.  It’s hard to believe that I’m still on the same path that I was two years ago.  Hopefully, I am just a little bit closer to my dreams.  Here’s wishing you a Happy Friday filled with fun, hope and inspiration!

Autumn leaves

In a concrete asphalt landscape

Dance gracefully

By nature’s breath

Scattering their orange tentacles

Like crabs

On a massive ocean floor

Sea creatures

Making paths

Writing their destinies

In slowly sinking sand.

 Santorini

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June 3rd, 2009

Facing Your Fears of Failure

I had a nightmare this morning.  I can’t remember the details but the main character in my dream, a monster made up of all hands was clear.  I was frightened by it and when I woke up realized its significance.  It represented failure.  

It got me thinking about the importance that the fear of failure plays in our life.  Sometimes our fear is so strong that it prevents us from fulfilling our dreams and ends up sabotaging our lives.  What can we do to combat our fears so that they don’t end up controlling us?

1.  Awareness.  Being clear about what our fears are is the first step.  Whether you do this through counseling, journal writing, or self-reflection through meditation, achieving an understanding of what it is you’re really afraid of is key.

2.  Befriend fear.  I used to have a reoccurring childhood dream that some kids were chasing me.  I told my dad about it and he said, “Did you know that you can control your dreams?  Next time, before you go to sleep, imagine a better ending and dream something good.”  I did just that and you know what?  That night, I dreamed that the two kids were chasing me to give me an ice cream cone.  Know that while fear is always present in our lives, we can control our reaction to it.  Instead of running away, focus on what the fear is trying to tell you and face it, you never know what gifts you’ll get out of that.  

3. Do your research!  Sometimes fear happens when we don’t have enough information.  Instead of focusing on failure, focus on the things you can do and the steps you can take to get you toward success.

4.  Fail.  We’re so afraid of failing so I say fail!  Yeah that’s right!  We need to get comfortable with failure so that it’s not so scary and so that it has less power over us.  Whether this means trying something you’re not good at, or playing out what would happen if you failed in your mind, taking the shock factor out of failure, may transform that big scary monster into something less intimidating.

5.  Take action!  The best way to deal with fear?  Do something!  If you’re afraid of failing at starting a business, for example, go out and talk to people who have succeeded.  Or are you afraid of failing an exam or presentation?    Then, spend time practicing.  The more time you spend taking action, even if small ones, the less chance you’ll be stuck paralyzed by fear.

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June 1st, 2009

Magic Bubbles

It’s amazing what happens when you start making decisions based on what you want versus what you think you should do.  Suddenly, things begin to fall into place and that’s when miracles can happen.  

Oprah is a great example of someone who follows her true calling and has had several instances of pure magic.  It’s a great reminder of what happens when we take risks to follow our dreams.  She said once that after seeing a guest on her show make massive magical bubbles she also felt like blowing bubbles.  Then, when she went up to her office she saw a bag filled with a bubblemaker from Tiffany’s.  She thought someone had put it there because of the show but found that the bubblemaker had been sitting there the whole time.  

I wholeheartedly believe that if you take steps to create a clear vision of what you want for yourself, these dreams can come true.  Though the miracles may seem small, I believe that they are constant reminders that life is magical, if only we take the time to tune in and appreciate them.

Like what you just read?  Have some inspirational stories of your own?  Post a comment and/or subscribe to this blog here.

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May 30th, 2009

Happy Days Are Here Again!

It took me awhile to get here.  But I finally got it!  The key to happiness in life?  Do what makes you happy.  

Oftentimes, we’re raised by our families, friends, culture, community and society to believe that life is about struggle.  The 80’s slogan, “No pain, no gain!” epitomizes this belief.  Yet, how can we be happy if we’re spending all our time miserable and doing things that deplete rather than fill us?  As I was bike riding with my husband today, enjoying nature and the feeling of the wind on my face, I realized how simple it is, and yet how complicated we make things.  Maybe we’re afraid of being that happy or believe that it’s a mirage tempting us only to disappear when we get close.  Sure there are difficulties in life that I’m not trying to sugar coat but there are always moments in which we can choose joy instead of pain.

So here’s my challenge to you.  I dare you to do something that you truly enjoy whether it’s taking 5 minutes for meditation or an hour massage.  You don’t have to spend a lot of money to do something that feels indulgent.  For me, a night spent writing is a night well spent.  Make it a regular event and schedule it in, and soon you’ll be on a path towards true happiness.  

And for an inspirational story, check out this one from Chicken Soup for the Soul.

DSC04657

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May 28th, 2009

Trust Your Instincts

Atop my desk, right in front of my computer monitor is an index card with the words, “Trust your instincts!”  It’s a reminder to me about the importance of reaching down deep and learning to become conscious and aware of what my body is telling me.  Intuition is an important sense, one that we often ignore.  Too often we rely on our thinking mind to make important decisions for us when we’re on the fence, swaying between one choice and the next.  While using logic has its part in the process, intuition also has a significant role.  

About seven years ago, something happened to me that changed my vision of intuition forever.  I was in my room taking a nap, something I used to do regularly for 3 hours at a time almost daily.  Well after only an hour of rest, I felt a strong pull to wake up.  I didn’t question it but followed my instincts and got up in a foggy haze.  I was confused when I looked at the clock and saw that I had only slept for an hour,  but went straight to the bathroom anyway to splash water on my face.  That’s when I heard a loud crash coming from my room.  I went to see what the racket was and in my sleepy state saw that the wire holding the ceiling fan was severed.  The fan which was on while I was asleep and that had been directly over my bed, had crashed on my bed and tumbled, still spinning, to the floor.  If I had still been lying there, I would have been badly hurt.  Thank goodness I woke up in time!  

This story is my saving grace and continues to remind me about the importance of following your instincts because you never know what situations, though it might not be a ceiling fan, may befall you.

CategoryHow to, Life | Comment1 Comment »

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