Inspiration – yourhappyplaceblog

DIVINE –

Published on May 19, 2023May 19, 2023 by goforthegood1Leave a comment

From Old French divin, from Latin dīvīnus (“of a god”), from divus (“god”)

Hebrew meaning of the name Divine. A modern name meaning literally ‘divine’ or a variant of the name Divina from the Hebrew for ”beloved’ or ‘friend’.

I LOVE the idea of a beloved friend watching out for us through a divine existence.

I am not here to say this religion or that religion is truth. I am here to say, that no matter what you believe, there is a divine existence that plays out in miracles, guidance, dreams, directions, inspirations, etc. We are all given gifts of grace, quiet moments of inspired whispers, physical nudges, people who come into our lives to share something we need to hear, books that pop up that we are in need of their messages, miracles that catch our attention, stories that stop us cold, faith affirming experiences that are ours and ours alone. We each have a journey and the deeper directions are there, we just need to seek the divine and have faith in it. We need to pay attention. We need to look for what we seek. We need to notice beyond the ordinary and know the divine moments are for each one of us and have faith in that.

I wanted to share some stories to inspire and help you see and believe the greater need—the need to know and understand a deeply divine connection that seeks you.

MIRACLES Story of cops who hear a voice that leads them to a life saved https://www.faithwire.com/2016/12/09/mysterious-voice-led-cops-to-save-a-baby-girl-and-this-officer-is-convinced-it-was-divine-intervention/

[MUST watch] Inspired story of a couple who goes through a tough journey together and the miracles they walked away with. Very inspiring. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QIZEfmoDC4&t=1253s

https://www.hopeheals.com is their org site & this other video is what they have been doing to lift others with the organization they have created. So inspiring. They are doing miraculous work for people. Love it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRlKZxb4wvc

3 Medical Miracles https://guideposts.org/angels-and-miracles/miracles/gods-grace/3-unexplained-present-day-miracles/

GODWINK’S is another one of my favorites! Squire Rushnell has been collecting, inspiring and sharing books of miracles, coincidences, divine connections that are “Godwink” collections of incredible stories.

One of my favorite Godwink stories: [taken from belief net.com]

Mavis had driven past the Crystal Cathedral every day for 20 years on her way to work in Anaheim. And every day she said, “Someday I’m going to go there.” One Sunday morning she arose and announced, “Today’s the day.”

She arrived early and found a nice spot in the center of the 3000-seat all-glass structure. She marveled as the choir and orchestra filled the cathedral with beautiful music and the glass ceiling rolled back so that even the birds were allowed to come into the sanctuary. At the end of the service she stood, bursting with joy, and turned to the young woman who’d been seated next to her, saying, “I’m so glad I came today!” Then added, “Are you from around here?” “No,” said the young woman. “I’m from the Midwest. I’m here on a mission…to find my birth mother.” There was a pause. Then Mavis said, “I know how you must feel, I once had to give up a little girl for adoption…I didn’t want to, but I had to.” There was another pause. The young woman looked deeply into Mavis’ eyes. “Do you…remember her birthday?” “Yes,” said Mavis, “October 30th.” (gasp) “That’s my birthday!” said the young woman. In a matter of moments they were able to establish, that through some incredible miracle…an extraordinary divine alignment…that they were mother and daughter reunited! And they knew that Mother’s Day would never be the same again.

For years, this story was told by the pastor of Crystal Cathedral, Robert Schuller.

The reunion of Mavis and her long-lost daughter reinforces that you and I are each on a grand GPS…I call it…God’s Positioning System. Through divine alignment…and His small still voice…He nudges us to do something, go somewhere, to take an action. And what a comfort it is to know that He is always directing our paths. -Squire Rushnell

A Divine gift–MEDIUMS We can all be skeptical, but my sister-in-law was in need of some connection with her father. He has been dead for over 20 years, but she has been going through some of her own life struggles. She ended a 30 year marriage, broke her family apart & all of her six children have been struggling deeply. She had issues with connecting with her Dad when she was younger, so she wanted to see if there would be any hope of connection with her father on the other side. She called her son to tell him that she was going to talk to a medium & he responded with cynicism and questioned her motives. She knew her son had a connection with her Dad, so she wanted his support. The medium mentioned that while she was preparing for the reading that two males came up–one who has been deceased for a long time (her father) and the other, her son (in his twenties) who is still living. My sister-in-law was intrigued because she did not tell this medium about anyone she wanted to hear from, so she was excited that her father wanted to come through. During the conversation there were some very sweet things shared, but to me the most wonderful moment was when her father told her to continue to keep praying because he could hear her prayers and he enjoyed those connections. He then said, “and please tell Will (her son) that I enjoy hearing his prayers especially” My sister-in-law felt a bit deflated because she knew her son did not believe in anything and has been agnostic. When she called her son to tell him about the whole experience, she then proceeded to tell him that her Dad especially wants to hear his prayers. Will, paused and proceeded to share with his mom that although he does not believe in anything, for some reason he feels the need to pray every night. He said, “I usually just pray for other people, but I pray every day.” To me that was so powerful. The thought that we have these sweet connections with others on another side somewhere and that they can hear our prayers. Wow! how special. How beautiful. How divine.

My other experience with Mediums is the show, “Life after Death” with Tyler Henry on Netflix. Many would and could be skeptical, but I found the show to be very comforting and powerful. What a gift. What sensitivity. What a journey. Highly recommend if you have any interest. There are definitely some stories that are more powerful than others, but a great show.

INSPIRED DREAMS that changed the world. Is it Divine guidance? From the theory of relativity, the atom, the sewing machine, Beatles songs, to the book Twilight. Read about 13 world changing dreams https://www.rd.com/list/ideas-that-came-from-dreams/

More movies, songs, poems…that came from dreams https://www.huffpost.com/entry/famous-ideas-from-dreams_n_4276838

DIVINE INSPIRATIONS “Inspiration” is something GOOD that moves you to encourage others and you share it with them”…htt. [Facebook]

I hope you are able to find a story here that inspires you in some way. There are beautiful messages sent through music, poetry written in the winds, dreams filled with stories and ideas, people who have gifts to share with messages to heal…their is divinity in the symmetry of nature, the details of science, the notes of music. The gifts abound if we look, listen and seek to see and hear them.

May you FEEL something deeper…something divine.

Peace. Love and Light to you . -H

Inspired Notes

Published on April 18, 2023 by goforthegood11 Comment

From MY NOTES…I am ALWAYS learning, seeking words of the day, listening to inspired podcasts, taking notes on anything that catches my attention.

I thought it would be fun to do a post on random notes on my phone….lots of great inspired info.

enJOY.

FROM Jonathan Fields podcast “Good Life Project”. LOVE his podcast. It is always great conversations with incredible experts in various fields. A wonderful place to learn something new. I specifically LOVEd some of the conversations and info below…a few notes from this inspired podcast…

Authenticity “Author of your life” LOVE that!! Create real authenticity within your life by becoming the Author of the life you intend…the life you desire…The life you desire to create. LOVE that!!

LOVED this whole podcast. Highly recommend…JF’s conversation with Ozan Varol, Awaken your Genius—The importance of play…talked about how Astronauts train with play to help prepare them for any situation. Because space can throw anything at you and you have to be open to new ideas and different ways of thinking about things. The discussion was full of incredible insights on deeper meanings of ideas, getting to your origin of creativity…sooo many greats in this convo. Highly recommend.

Lewis Howes Greatness podcast with JF

Prove my creator RIGHT!! Instead of proving everyone else wrong

What is going to NOURISH your time and make your life better

Where is your drive coming from?? Why do you not feel worthy enough? Loved enough?

Pursue, inspire and empower others around you to their greatness

Another JF conversation with Bishop Michael Curry who married Harry and Meg

People who act we give awards…Oscars, Emmy’s…Tony’s…Acting…actors get paid a lot of money to act. Because acting is hard work.

Being who you a actually are is not hard work.

Fears can effect us to act certain ways and are afraid to be our authentic selves. Sometimes we have “roles” that we have to play, but that is not necessarily who you are.

It takes work to feel yourself

Struggle with SELF and ROLE

You may FEEL uncomfortable with certain jobs or positions

He was told…travel lightly with that…try some things on, see what fits…eventually at some point in time you won’t be forced to fit

You can see people that are full of it and are not authentic or who they are

You know it’s real when you see it and you also know when it’s fake

JF you feel it more than anything

If your not growing, your dead

JF You need to be yourself. You may not be everyone’s flavor, but you have to be okay with that.

Pico Iyer, Dalai Lama friend

Nothing lasts. That is why everything matters

Resenting the things we don’t have or thanking for the things we do

Difficulty is non negotiable and

Even in the midst of

One can have confidence kindness, and optimism

Jonathan field and Zoe Chance

Charismatic quest

Focus: Put your energy out and onto the other person

Pausing

Shining—book by Joey Asher

Connecting w someone on a spiritual level—shining your energy on them in a generous manner

BIG INFLUENCER: Do one thing w every person you encounter– CHOOSE to like them. May be hard, but if you can find something to appreciate about that person.

MAGIC QUESTION: What would it take?

Exquisite attention—be exquisitely present in whatever conversation you are in. Be in that moment. Give your attention & let them feel you are truly there. Give of yourself w those moments.

May you be happy. May you be well—send messages to strangers

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Great story I came across on Conversations with David Letterman Will Smith never used curse words in his rap music because his grandma saw his rap book full of swear words and left him a note

Dear Willard, [His real name]

Truly intelligent people do not have to use words like these to express themselves. Please show the world you are as smart as we think you are. Love, GG

LOVE THAT!!

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We are all just walking each other home -Ram Das

Get your act together…your whole life..what do you have?? An act!! Not a life -Anne Lamot

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Micro mosaic moments of life

Tiny moments that teach lessons

Tiny pieces of who we are that have stories, lessons, memories

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Did you leave someone at an emotional baggage claim??

When venting. When frustration sets in. When you are at your emotional end—-where do you turn? What do you leave with those you love?

Are you dumping your baggage on someone?

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Attention is one of the greatest forms of love

Zen teaching

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What’s meant for you will STOP you from going further with anything else.

True Love story—Anne Margaret had love with Elvis, but on her first date with her husband [Roger Smith] of 50 years—she just new that he was the love of her life.

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Serendipity movie line…Greeks didn’t write obits when someone died. They asked one question—Did they live with Passion?

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Sue monk kids podcast talks about our longings—-pay attention to them. They are your soul trying to help you follow those things you long for.

“Return to your longing. It will teach you everything.” It does have something to say to us.

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The Huxley quote above started by saying, “There are quicksands all about you, sucking at your feet, trying to suck you down into fear and self-pity and despair. That’s why you must WALK LIGHTLY.”

Walk so lightly, my darling. On tiptoes with no luggage, completely unencumbered.”– Aldous Huxley

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Pam Grout always has something incredible to share. LOVE receiving her messages. She has written some incredible books—especially loved, “Thank and Grow Rich” BUT everything she shares is wonderful and inspired. She is always seeking miracles, giving gratitude, sharing uplifting stories and finding hope and good despite the incredibly hard loss of her one-and-only daughter. She is the ultimate inspiration. LOVE her work.

“The Universe (or God or the field of infinite potentiality or whatever name you want to call this energy force) wants nothing more then to bless you, to guide you, to help you create the most exciting version of yourself. And here’s the cool part. Not one thing is required of you for this to happen.” -Pam Ground, Thank and Grow Rich

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There are soo many inspired thoughts, words, ideas, people, places….all to learn from. Seek something to learn from daily. Write a note in your phone, free write your creative wonders, take in a nature walk, listen to an inspired song….

speaking of inspired songs…yesterday, I sat on my prayer rock at the ocean and turned on this beautiful song, “Transformation” by The Cinematic Orchestra [from the Disney Nature movie The Crimson Wing]. Wow! what a moment. To take in an orchestra while watching wild waves crash along a sandy shore. It was humbling, inspiring, calming, so many feelings and emotions. Music has a real power.

look for those little things that have an impact. Did you hear a good interview? Did you see a LinkedIn post that you wanted to share? Did you get Good News in your inbox and found a great story that changed your energy? Did you get out in nature and just feel a little calmer or more connected?

Continue to seek inspired things in all you do and let them power your life.

PEACE. LOVE. LIGHT and INSPIRATION to you. xoxo -H

Resilience. Remember?

Published on March 9, 2023 by goforthegood1Leave a comment

Wow!! I just came across a notebook with a page of scribbled and bulleted statements from the time spent during COVID. The opening statement, “What have you learned through this quarantine?”

This took me back to the time none of us will ever forget. It will forever be remembered in history books, the missed graduations, the loss of loved ones…It was like a cloud of fear came into our world as a whole. It was a heavy time for all. A time that no one will forget or minimize.

I will however, always remember how everyone dug deep within to find the best ways to deal with the situation, the world found so many good things that led to hope—People in various countries sharing their talents from balconies in Europe to roof top serenades that inspired and delighted. Tourist spots were empty but the silence of shared videos put to music was humbling and had its own beauty. Wildlife was wandering and nature was getting a needed break that brought healthy resolutions. People were encouraging, building, tipping, giving, helping those in need of solutions. Celebrities were using their fame for good. Buildings lit up with colors of support for healthcare workers. It was a time of turmoil, but also a time where the world felt like it had come together in a greater cause. In its own right it was truly amazing.

Sure, there were the tough things that came from this time too, but I want to focus on the beauty that unfolded.

Let that be the focus today. How can we remember the resilience?

Here is the definition of resilience: the capacity to withstand or to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.

I think in looking back on that period of time the real resilience was led by HOPE and CONNECTION. Everyone was in the same boat of difficulty, experiencing real-time, life-changing situations. The news had the daily death tolls, but the world was also contributing to the news with their own versions of HOPE and CONNECTION. The world was on a stage all together. So much strength came from seeing how other people, families, other countries were coping and how they were finding resilience in the storm. We all had to face the fears together. We all had to face circumstances together. On a world scale. It was humbling. It was connecting. It was pretty incredible in some crazy, twisted way.

The world seemed to shift in some ways. I know the US had families finding more balance than they had experienced in years. Families were getting outside TOGETHER, they were playing games, they were crafting, they were watching television series…all together because that is where they had to be. They had to connect. They had a greater opportunity to connect. Even though it was hard in some ways. smile. smile. [I know I had a few sisters complaining that they were ready for their kids to go back to school—eagerly waiting for the day] it connected families, created a space and opportunity for them to become stronger and to grow through the experience together. You only HOPE that families look back on that time with a greater sense of appreciation and see it as a valued year of their lives.

It was fun to find this paper that took me back to that time…to read the below bullets. To remember. It was a precious time for our family. Life is like that. It goes by so quickly, so we strive to always remember to make memories, spend extra money to invest in experiences together and make life happen with greater connection!!

The bullets listed with each of my families names beside the bullets.

JON:

Life is precious. Jon looks at stats every day and sees the numbers of loss daily. He said, “We are all in this together, young and old. Who should be saved? It is crazy.”

Be prepared. I love seeing the outpouring and support to others in need. People need it.

I ask, “What have you learned to appreciate?” His response: The power of connectivity—love all the group texts of support, the social media messages that are so positive. It has been very powerful. Being home with family. Fun banter with extended family. The deeper connections and conversations. Sleeping in. The late nights together.

KATE:

“What have you missed?” My job and everything about it. [At the time our daughter was working at a really cool aquarium and was missing the camaraderie of her team, the animals, the environment…everything.]

She said, “Our life hasn’t changed that much for us besides more connection and family time & I love that.” [Kate was already doing an online school, so her schooling didn’t change]

“What have you enjoyed?” Quiet time, doing puzzles, relaxing at night, family walks, seeing so many people outside. [Our family was always in the habit of spending lots of time outside, but it was a huge number of people who seemed to come out of nowhere. It was refreshing to see families outside together]. Kate loved our family time together watching shows like Zoey’s Extraordinary Play list, playing classic games like Clue and Battleship, watching Survivor, having her Dad home with us, just a great break all together as a family.

HEATHER:

Great opportunity to learn new things. I pulled out a big drum and would have drum time. My little family would laugh at me and my crazy songs and mantras I would sing. I loved seeing people spread love wherever they could [painted rocks along trails, window art with inspired messages, kids doing chalk messages on walkways] good news stories, videos that inspired, having something to connect with others about when we would see people outside, perspectives, going outside even more–we love our family walks. Loved seeing the funny talk shows done from home in pajamas. Loved seeing musicians and celebs using their power for good things.

SOOO LOVED all the resilience and positive news from around the globe…ie: China sending face masks to Italy with a message and blessing, “We are all from the same tree.” Beautiful. Italians sharing songs and music from balconies. The world connected and sharing the best it has to offer. So many great stories of hope.

Also loved “Good News” by MSN, Disney donating food, big companies like Amazon giving to help, Animals wandering the zoos and aquariums, the big tips given to help people stay afloat in hard times.

Here is one of my blog posts from that time & I was adding some of the good things I found that were being shared, posted…its a fun reminder of the resilience of that time. enJOY! https://yourhappyplaceblog.com/2020/03/20/looking-for-the-good-in-all-this/

Another one of my favorites from that period of time…beautiful song and images. enJOY…worth the watch [sorry it won’t add image link] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaTKxCvTJos

Though, we are still trying to find our own resilience in these times of ongoing challenge…trying to navigate the world with the new health issues, to wear or not to wear masks, to find ways to stay healthy, etc. I hope we can look back on that precious time and see some of the good that came from it. I hope you seek to see the resilience in those great examples of people living with such strength. There were stories everywhere of such greatness. It was powerful time in its own way.

My hope for you today: I HOPE you can sit down (if you haven’t) and think back, ponder on that time and write down your own list of things you remember. Things you can take away. Moments of resilience that stand out for you. Our voices are important for a time in our history that will last the tales of time. So, make sure you take the time to share your stories, your perspective, your memories with those you love.

Have a blessed and beautiful day. Peace, Love and Light to you. xoxo

Embrace the JOYage

Published on February 7, 2023 by goforthegood11 Comment

Embrace the voyage…Embrace the Journey…I say, Embrace the JOY in every day journeys! Right!? EMBRACE THE JOYAGE!

It has taken me a lifetime to get to a place and truly understand the true meaning of creating moments of JOY. Hoping to bring about more moments than not of this incredible ingredient life gives and takes. JOY.

JOY: A feeling of great pleasure and happiness. OR gladness not based on circumstance [1 Peter 1:8-9] OR darkness dispelled. The light of everlasting life lit up in the soul. OR the emotion evoked by well-being, success or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires.

EMBRACE ALL the JOY you can get.

Not everyone feels or enJOYs JOY. It is a gift; a desired outcome on the journey of life. We do the daily to do’s in order of hoping we can create the correct dosages or amounts of work, study, conversations, smiles, interactions that will give us something…anything… but hopeful it will have JOY sprinkled in.

Who doesn’t want or hope for pure JOY. There is enough other stuff out there that can be taken in certain supply hoping for some inkling of our desired JOY.

I want the pure, unaltered version. I want the stuff that cannot be diluted or distilled to a various version. I don’t want to be hyped up on illusion. I want real JOY.

I seek it daily. I try too [soo] hard to make each day a little better. I learn new things. I work on my mental toughness. I pray. I get grateful. I try not to be a hater to my physical body. I get outside every day. I kiss. I laugh. I work to become a little better each day.

BUT, even then. JOY can be illusive. It can send someone else in to steal your joy or high-jack your higher place of personal wellness.

Yesterday, well, I should say, on many visiting weekends, my daughter visits from college and we can have a wonderful time. But, also a time of turmoil, struggle, mind bombs of my JOY. She throws grenades that hurt with her eye rolls and her comments that tear down my way of living. She expresses how all I talk about are life lessons, getting grateful, doing better, spreading love….etc. I am taken back every time that I get turned into a battle of justifying gratitude or good life lessons, sharing, etc. I am slapped in the face for good?? What is that?? That is a legitimate hi-jacking of good things that can lead to joy. Who does that?? My daughter?? What??

Well, to say the least, it brings about a reflection of deeper needs. I have always believed that your life is an expression of your living. You are an example to those you love and live with. So, how does this happen??

What happened to her JOY?? How did it get so lost??

My heart soo deeply just wants her happy, finding joy around every corner, living her best life, doing things that lead her to her hearts happiness. Her college experience has been a tough journey, but she tries soo hard every day. It is like she is in a daily battle of wills. Her mental toughness is challenged to the core and her strength seems to weaken with her internal compass teetering in insecurities. She is a beautiful girl who has always been so sure of who she is, where she is going, what she wants for her life, her enthusiasm, her charm, her strength, her positive nature…has slowly been eroding since entering college. She works hard to connect with others and has lots of connections, but no one reciprocates the love and energy she puts out. It has been a tough voyage.

So, what can I do?? How do I help as a mother? How do we help one another in this journey to embrace the JOYage??

Let us jump in to find answers and ideas to help one find and EMBRACE the JOYAGE…

MAKE THE MOST OUT OF IT According to an INC article The secret of being happy is accepting where you are in life and making the most out of everyday. It doesn’t matter how old we are, what we’ve done, or how much money we have. Our journey is a personal one-full of lessons and reasons to be happy. When we stop comparing ourselves to others and realize how full our lives are, we can appreciate our individual value.

Say THANK YOU. I always have loved Wayne Dyer and I remember him always mentioning how every morning when he would get out of bed, he would touch the floor with his feet and say, “Thank you.” Another one of my favorite’s to live by…“If the only prayer you say is thank you, it will be enough.”

GRATITUDE: Find anything you are and can be grateful for. Gratitude has been a staple in our home because I believe in its power to help in all you do. It can change thought patterns from negative to positive, build happiness, grow good things, etc. I have often found myself talking to my daughter about focusing on those things that she can be grateful for on her college campus. One of her greatest wins—being grateful for a spin class to help ease stress. When she struggles to find things—in the end, it may be some of the hardest and most challenging things that bring us to our knees and make us stronger. The funny thing—she has always hated exercise, but finding something she can find JOY in…priceless. Thanks spin classes 😉

Another personal story: moving to Oregon has taken some time to get use to the surprises in the weather here. It can be sunny, then raining, then hailing, all within a half hour. It can have crazy winds, intense down pours, so when the sun comes out, I feel every sense of my being to run to the sunshine. I have never been so grateful for the sun in the dark, rainy winters. BUT, I also reflect on the beautiful rain and the incredible rainbows that constantly grace the wet landscapes. You cannot have the rainbows without the rain. To me that is the sincerest example of gratitude. No matter what, there is always something beautiful that comes. You can always find the beauty in anything if you truly seek to find it. Finding gratitude throughout your life will uncover hidden gifts and treasures you may not even see.

DISCOVER. I do believe variety is the spice of life, so I am always seeking new landscapes, new trails to hike, new desserts to try, new things to learn, new books to read, new beaches to walk…seek and find things that are new to your senses. I guarantee that even if you have lived in the same neighborhood for years that there are new places to find, paths to take, shops to wander, waterfalls to see, classes to take, etc. Find something new to light up your JOY.

TRY SOMETHING NEW. Walking a college campus is a fun way to be hit in the face with all types of things to try. There seems to be tack boards full of upcoming activities for people to join—cooking classes, line dancing, cactus potting, art, martial arts, concerts…the lists go on and on. Trying new things is a great way to get you outside of yourself, connecting with others and learning something new in the process.

I am a big believer in community education. I usually try to challenge myself to take some type of class where I will learn something. This winter I have been taking an Irish group dance class. Because maybe one day, I will be in Ireland and will walk into a pub and know what a Ceili dance is. haha. Smile. Smile. and join in. There are always so many things you can learn. Take a chance. Learn something new. Challenge and grow.

FIND LITTLE JOYS NOW: Find those little things within your life that bring you joy now. DONT postpone your life with the never-ending list of, ‘When I make $$ then…” or “When I finally move to…my life will be better” or “Maybe when I find the love of my life…” you need to work on being presently JOY-filled. You need to seek out those little things in your life that bring you little, even tiny bits of joy now. Maybe it is a favorite sweatshirt you enJOY wearing or a special cafe drink that brings a smile to your face or a friend who always makes you laugh or watering your plants or playing with your dog. Maybe its a sunset walk or a starlight wish. Maybe it is playing an instrument or painting your nails. Everyone has those little things that bring little joys. Seek and find those daily.

STEP BY STEP: Think of a stream with big rocks that are stepping stones to the other side. Be gentle with your journey. There will be mis-steps where you may fall in or you may over-jump in excitement, you may slip when you are unsure, or stand tall with assurance, etc. The journey will have its ups and downs, surprise endings, happy wins, wild twists and turns, but with each forward step you are moving in a good direction. Learn from each happening, whether it is hard or happy, ultimately your life is what you will make out of it. Look at each stumble as a stepping stone towards greatness. Learn from everything you grow through. Begin to trust yourself, your personal footing and the directions you desire to go. It is ultimately your life and your journey. Learn to embrace the JOYS in all you do.

FAITH OVER FEAR WITHIN YOURSELF: Faith over fear is another staple reminder in our home. We have had many experiences that have been personal testaments to the truth of this statement. You must have faith over fear in all you do. BUT, even so within yourself. You must have a greater faith in who you are, the directions you are going, the work you are doing, your personal belief and will that you are incredible and will overcome the fears that try to creep in. We all have insecurities, but seeking to instill a greater mental faith will help deter the fears that will try to push us to our knees. We must always remember one of my favorite quotes: “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?’ Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” Have faith in that! Shine bright and have the faith to do so..for fear cannot live in the freedom of a soul on fire.

GET INTO NATURE: I have a very strong belief in the power of nature and the great benefits it gives. Nature is an untapped resource of rich goodness. We have not even touched the enormous benefits that it holds. We know it is good to get into nature, but “There is mounting evidence, from dozens and dozens of researchers, that nature has benefits for both physical and psychological human wellbeing,” says Lisa Nisbet, PhD, a psychologist at Trent University in Ontario, Canada, who studies connectedness to nature. “You can boost your mood just by walking in nature, even in urban nature. And the sense of connection you have with the natural world seems to contribute to happiness even when you’re not physically immersed in nature.”-apa. and according to a Yale article Nature is not only nice to have, but it’s a have-to-have for physical health and cognitive functioning.

Get outside and let the sunshine feed your body with nutrient vitamins. I will often be out in 50 degree weather along the coast in a tank top, while everyone else is wearing down parka’s—why? Because I smile at the sunshine and say…bring it! I enJOY feeling the suns rays nourish my everything–body and soul. Get out in nature: take your dogs on a walk, pick berries, hunt for mushrooms, take in sunsets, breathe in the freshest air, walk barefoot, touch the trees, smell the flowers, take in every splendor possible. Seek nature when you look out a window or when you are on a lunch break. Take the long way around a building before a meeting. Have a luncheon outside. Bring a plant(s) to work. Even having a picture of nature will bring you its benefits. Nature gives in all things. Take every moment possible to be in it…near it…basking in it.

LAUGHTER: Oh, the untapped goodness of a good, hearty, belly laugh!! It can take a tense situation and bring a smile. It can make a heart feel so much better. It takes away the edge of stress to leave you gasping in smiles. There is a light and a physical lightness it brings to any situation. So, have a go-to’s of funny comedies, series and movies you enJOY watching. Get together often with people who make you laugh out loud. Always be on the lookout for comedians who you appreciate, jokes you can share, anything that makes your heart sing in comedic bliss. According to the MayoClinic, “A good sense of humor can’t cure all ailments, but data is mounting about the positive things laughter can do. A good laugh has great short-term effects. When you start to laugh, it doesn’t just lighten your load mentally, it actually induces physical changes in your body.

Laughter can:

Stimulate many organs. Laughter enhances your intake of oxygen-rich air, stimulates your heart, lungs and muscles, and increases the endorphins that are released by your brain.
Activate and relieve your stress response. A rollicking laugh fires up and then cools down your stress response, and it can increase and then decrease your heart rate and blood pressure. The result? A good, relaxed feeling.
Soothe tension. Laughter can also stimulate circulation and aid muscle relaxation, both of which can help reduce some of the physical symptoms of stress.

Laughter isn’t just a quick pick-me-up, though. It’s also good for you over the long term. Laughter may:

Improve your immune system. Negative thoughts manifest into chemical reactions that can affect your body by bringing more stress into your system and decreasing your immunity. By contrast, positive thoughts can actually release neuropeptides that help fight stress and potentially more-serious illnesses.
Relieve pain. Laughter may ease pain by causing the body to produce its own natural painkillers.
Increase personal satisfaction. Laughter can also make it easier to cope with difficult situations. It also helps you connect with other people.
Improve your mood. Many people experience depression, sometimes due to chronic illnesses. Laughter can help lessen your stress, depression and anxiety and may make you feel happier. It can also improve your self-esteem.“

ENJOY THOSE AROUND YOU: People will come and go in your life, so it is the gifts and lessons that you can learn and take away from the encounters that happen daily. I fondly remember a training I was attending & I had one of the educators call me out and embarrass me in front of the group. I calmly excused myself and broke down in tears in a nearby bathroom. One of the bathroom attendants noticed me crying and approached me. She did not understand English, but did her best to comfort me with a sincere hug. That was all I needed, a complete stranger to connect with me on a deeper level and show me the genuine compassion from another in my time of need. We are all here for one another—in one way or another. If we take the time to treasure those glimpses of another’s heart, a smile, a kind word, a compliment, a gesture…the world would be a better place.

Another personal story: my husband was recently helping with the college level, World Olympic Games in Lake Placid, New York. There were numerous winter, athletic teams from around the world. Many did not speak English, but that did not stop my husband from making genuine connections. By the end of the two week period my husband made many friends, but a special friendship with team Spain. Even though they did not speak English they had a great respect and appreciation for my husband. At the end of the events they gave my husband one of their team jackets & made him an honorary team member. It was such a kind gesture & one that will stay with my husband forever. The genuine gifts of connection when you sincerely enJOY those around you. People FEEL your love by how you treat them. Love and respect above all.

Seek JOY. Dance with life’s gifts. Find yourself along the journey. embrace the JOYage. Life is short. Make it memorable.

Peace. Love and Light to you. -H

A little wisdom for the New Year

Published on January 25, 2021 by goforthegood1Leave a comment

My daughter is now at the age of college applications, scholarship interviews, early college classes…lots of changes and challenges, so when she broke down in tears yesterday morning I knew big hugs and divine intervention were needed. I held her in my arms and prayed to know how to direct her, to calm her, to ease her struggle. I had a feeling, almost a whisper to read from the book in the car. I stored it in my mind to pull out something to inspire when we drove her to work later this morning.

My daughter’s tears bubbled and rolled down her face, she sobbed a variety of feelings and then proceeded to put her foot down that she was not going to work & that there was too much to take on this week.

My husband and I walked her through the need to push through challenges, to move beyond the fearful moments, that life is going to be hard sometimes and the struggles will be real, but that is not when you just lie down and give up on everything. This week she has a life-changing interview with a college that would pay for everything, new college classes (she is still in high school), learning to drive, work, and the unknowns are real. She has to grow up & with change comes fears and challenges of how to deal with life and all the good and bad that it has to offer.

How do you fully prepare your child for all the unknowns, the what if’s, the heartbreaks, the ups, the downs. You pray. You pray to be the parent that your child needs. You pray that answers will fill in the voids of faith. You pray that even when your daughter is alone and on her own that she will be protected by the faith of angels and the strength of the heavens.

This morning was a little moment, but it is the little moments that bring us to our knees in fear, or pain, or struggle, that we are granted the little gifts from above. The little whispers that bring us to a place that helps us know we are heard, that we are protected, that we are not alone.

We helped our daughter along & she prepared herself for work. We all jumped into the car & I quickly remembered the whisper to read something from the book int he car.

Now, this book has been in the car door for months. On occasion I would pull it out and read something to hopefully inspire something good, but this morning, it was perfect. It was just what we needed. It was just what my daughter needed to hear. Here is what the page said…

“Every challenge we take on has the power to knock us to our knees. But what’s even more disconcerting than the jolt itself is our fear that we won’t withstand it. When we feel the ground beneath us shifting, we panic. We forget everything we know and allow fear to freeze us. Just the thought of what could happen is enough to throw us off balance.
What I know for sure is that the only way to endure the quake is to adjust your stance. You can’t avoid the daily tremors. They come with being alive. But I believe these experiences are gifts that force us to step to the right or left in search of a new center of gravity. Don’t fight them. Let them help you adjust your footing.
Balance lives in the present. When you feel the earth moving, bring yourself back to the now. You’ll handle whatever shake-up the next moment brings when you get to it. In this moment, you’re still breathing. In this moment, you’ve survived. In this moment, you’re finding a way to step onto higher ground.” -Resilience from Oprah’s book “What I Know for Sure”

After reading this we all knew it was divine intervention. It was a page book marked for us to read this very morning. We had never read it before. It was a necessary moment into knowing that we are in the bigger picture of life and that God is listening and aware of where we are in every moment. It is so reassuring to feel a prayer answered, to read something so in tune to the situation, to feel so cared for and to know that every little experience that brings us to our knees—puts us in the perfect position to pray.

I hope that in every struggle, challenge, fear you begin to find yourself in prayer. Even the little moments. The world needs less fear and more faith. Believe in that.

Peace, Love and Light to you today. -H

FRAGILE handle with care

Published on January 14, 2020 by goforthegood1Leave a comment

61f71b81c03c3205c2d8352182c1d956 One thing I have learned is that God places me (or the other way around 😉 in situations where I am needed. Whether it was a single mom who had just moved here from Turkey and they didn’t have anything for Christmas, a couple of homeless kids who needed a shower and a meal, various people who just needed a ear to listen, a homeless musician who needed encouragement to connect with his daughter, a young girl just out of foster care who I still talk to every day…there are people all around us who need something.

There are so MANY people who need to be handled with great care.

After my daughter and I came across a young man (Quinn) walking along the road carrying garbage & our brief encounter, I have had this nagging intuition to find him. I have felt very strongly that he may need us in some way, that we were put in his path for a reason. After weeks of thinking how crazy that looks (an adult trying to find this young man) I decided I would try. Because, I know for some reason we crossed paths.

I felt we (as a family) could use this inspiration of one kid doing such a small act and build on that, so we decided we would find this young man and tell him what an inspiration he was to us that we are going to start an organization that finds other kids in our community who are making small changes that will make a big difference and gift them some kind of award and one hundred dollars.

We thought we would begin with Quinn. We knew he lived in a certain area near our home, but not sure where. I stopped by a random house and simply asked if they knew a Quinn that lived somewhere nearby. The woman did know the young man and asked why we were looking for him. I expressed that he had inspired us with a kind action he had done for the community and we wanted to give him a gift to thank him. She asked what he had done & I explained the story of finding him on a main road with armfuls of garbage. She smiled & said, “Yeah that is pretty great! My kids definitely would not do that.” She then told us, “that will be a great thing for Quinn. He and his family have been through a lot.” My heart immediately knew we were in the right place and that following this continued guidance was where we needed to be. She sent us his address.

I ran to the dollar store to find a gift box and a frame for a favorite quote we would gift him. While I was at the store I came across this huge hanging rack of shipping labels that said in huge letters, “FRAGILE. Handle with Care.” I looked at that and it made me think how people are like that. Everyone has a story, a journey, heartbreaks, challenges, emotional needs, etc. and how we need to be sensitive to others and handle them with genuine care.

We genuinely just wanted to make this young man feel appreciated and notice him. We still don’t know what he or his family has gone through, but we wanted to handle the moment with great care and love. We wanted it to be a highlight moment in his life where complete strangers noticed him and his light in this world. We wanted him to know he was not alone or that his actions went unnoticed.

It was a wonderful exchange and he was so surprised and moved that his actions would inspire anyone. We all felt lifted by the genuine care and sincerity of the moment.

Everyone is going through something—“Everyone is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Always be kind.” Everyone is going through something on some level, so remember the labels we put on others and try this one…”FRAGILE handle with care”

So, when you see a stranger carrying garbage or an elderly woman struggling to carry groceries, pull over, have a genuine moment and handle them with love and care. Everyone will take away something good from the needed connection.

Peace and Love to you today, -H

“God Winks”

Published on December 12, 2019 by goforthegood1Leave a comment

god-winks-squire-rushnell

I fell in love with this term when I heard it a little over a year ago. What a gift for our lives. If you think about little coincidences within your life, you cannot miss the sweet “God winks” that sparkle throughout your life. Just think about it.

I recently had a sweet God wink moment, in fact, it was a couple weeks ago. Every year my daughter and I find gently used stuffed animals and dolls & we clean them up, my daughter has knitted scarves for them, we write a loving card, add some candy & turn unloved toys into magical gift bags for kids in need. It is a wonderful tradition that we have done for years. Usually, we drop our gift bags at our local Walmart for their BACA (Bikers Against Child Abuse) tree. They have always happily taken them, so my heart ached when I called to see if they were doing the BACA tree this year and they told me it was replaced by Toys for Tots that only take brand new items.

My daughter and I were going to put the gift bags of 30 + Beanie Boo’s together but had nowhere to take them. That same day I went to the dollar store to buy the cards to put with the toys. As I was checking out a woman and a young boy were placing items on the checkout counter. I glanced back at them and said, “It looks like you guys have found some fun stuff.” The woman smiled and motioned to the stack of coloring books she was purchasing & explained that she has a high-functioning autistic son who drives a bus for young special needs kids. I had an AH-HA moment!! I smiled so big & explained to her that I was in need of a place to give these gently used toys & thought it would be a perfect situation for her son (and other drivers he may know) to gift these kids our gift bags. She was soo excited and knew the kids would LOVE it! IT WAS NO COINCIDENCE. IT WAS A GOD WINK. We exchanged numbers.

The following week my new friend, Denise and her son came by to pick up the boxes of Beanie Boo’s. Her son was so excited to see the kids’ reactions. We were all genuinely happy for this beautiful gift of the holiday season. I then looked at Denise and told her we had probably seven other larger stuffed animals if she had anywhere to give them. She explained that she had another daughter with special needs who had been awarded, “Miss Inspiration.” She beamed & said, “I will have my daughter put on her crown & we will hand them out to kids at the hospital or something like that.”

Our hearts were happy!! We all hugged and exchanged loving appreciation. Strangers who came together in a God wink. It was beautiful.

A few days later I got a sweet image from Denise. It was a cute picture of her daughter in her crown doing good at the Deaf and Blind School. It was wonderful!!

People come into our lives & we can easily miss a sweet conversation, a service situation, a new friend…slow down and look for those doors that open. There are God winks in all you do. Notice the little things, smile at someone in line, open the door for someone, look for someone who is alone, share your gifts and talents, be kind in all you do.

God is looking for a way to smile down and wink at you in all you do.

May you have a blessed holiday season. Be Love. Bring Peace. Give Hope. Do good.

Peace and Love to you. -H

PS if the term God Winks makes you curious, I first heard this term from Squire Rushnell. He has a huge series of books that have lots of neat stories about “God Winks.” I LOVE a good coincidence and true stories just make my heart smile. These would be a good any time read. Enjoy!!

Life Passage

Published on April 11, 2018 by goforthegood1Leave a comment

Easter Sunday to be exact we put my fifteen year old daughter behind the wheel of our Durango and her Dad gave her the first driving lesson of many. I videoed it & my daughter’s expressions were priceless. She was NOT having a good time.

After the lesson we drove over to harts gas station and my husband ran inside to buy celebratory treats. I looked at my daughter in the back seat and she became a little emotional. I asked her what she was feeling & it was so genuinely sweet. She said, “I didn’t like driving because it makes me feel like I am getting older. I don’t want to be a teenager.” I told her that she would never be a typical teen because that is not who she is. I explained how driving is just a right of passage in a way. I explained how you have to grow in life. You have to do things that help you fly, that help you learn. I talked about how the butterfly has to go through hard things, to struggle, to break free from its ‘chrysalis’ to be able to fly. We talked about how it is not a bad thing to learn and grow. I reiterrated that she would never be a typical teen. It was a very sweet conversation.

Life is like that! You go from one growth challenge to another to another. Life should be a passage, a passage to better things that help us grow to become better people.

I LOVE that idea–a passage. The definition of ‘rites of passage’ points that mark transitional periods in a person’s life, such as birth, puberty, marriage, having children, and death. Rites of passage usually involve ritual activities and teachings designed to strip individuals of their original roles and prepare them for new roles. -dictionary.com

We all go through life changes and challenges. We go through tough things that make us feel uncomfortable, that challenge our current belief systems. Without those challenges how would we truly grow??

My only issue is that life is FULL of change and rites of passage, but I am going to go with LIFE ‘PASSAGE’ (instead of rites of passage) which is the action or process of passing from one place, condition or stage to another. I think this is more accurate in terms of life. The whole life. We don’t just have children and stop growing until we die. There is a huge portion of life within that realm. I think as adults we do more growing as we parent, as we age, as we continue to find our place as adults.

My question—as adults how can we find those specific ‘life passages’ that we personally need to challenge us to growth? We can easily become stagnate as adults, so how do we continually grow?? Here are my thoughts, research and findings….

BREAK OUT OF YOUR ORDINARY MOLD: Dr. Elizabeth Lombardo, Psychologist and author of “Better Than Perfect, says people who regularly seek out fresh experiences tend to be more creative and emotionally resilient than those who remain stuck in routine.

“Breaking your own mold can only make you stronger and more confident to reach higher levels in your professional and personal life,” she says.

How to break out of the ordinary–Do everyday things differently–(unplug on a specific day or time. Brush your teeth standing on one leg. Try a new recipe. etc) Pick a big goal–(to write a book. to run a marathon. to climb a mountain. to read five books in a month. to start a business. etc) Do something physically challenging–(take a trapeze class. go ice skating. take a rock climbing class. certify as a yoga instructor. train for something. etc)

Benefits of breaking out–Optimal anxiety is that place where your mental productivity and performance reach their peak. Still, “increased performance” and “enhanced productivity” just sound like “do more stuff.” What do you really get when you’re willing to step outside of your comfort zone? You’ll be more productive. You’ll have an easier time dealing with new and unexpected changes. You’ll find it easier to push your boundaries in the future. You’ll find it easier to brainstorm and harness your creativity. -lifehacker

EMBRACE DISCOMFORT: That is how you truly grow. It is a catalyst for progress! “The days you are most uncomfortable are the days you learn the most about yourself.” -Mary Bean

This is an interesting idea: In an interview with Outside, Karnazes makes an important point that many of us have forgotten:

Western culture has things a little backwards right now. We think that if we had every comfort available to us, we’d be happy. We equate comfort with happiness. And now we’re so comfortable we’re miserable. There’s no struggle in our lives. No sense of adventure. We get in a car, we get in an elevator, it all comes easy. What I’ve found is that I’m never more alive than when I’m pushing and I’m in pain, and I’m struggling for high achievement, and in that struggle I think there’s a magic.

That is a very interesting take from a serious Ultramarathon runner. BUT, we can look at this and equate it to our own lives. We strive to be comfortable, but I bet if any one person looked at their life to pinpoint their greatest times of personal growth, it would be in times of challenge and pain. We don’t grow in comfort. We are just comfortable. We may need to set some challenging or daunting personal goals.

SET A BIG GOAL: “Don’t shrink from discomfort. Instead, let it guide you toward accomplishment.” -Michael Hyatt

Goals make you ask a big question, “WHY?” If you can answer why you are doing something then you will see the vision behind your goal and the reason you feel compelled to move forward. Then you can ask, “How?” & begin on that part of the solution. Goals have a way of getting you in the right frame of mind to go beyond your current state.

“If you are bored with life, if you don’t get up every morning with a burning desire to do things–you don’t have enough goals.” -Lou Holtz

Here are some great resources on creating goals: These should give you a good starting point for ideas. Make your own life list, 100 goals in 100 days, 100 goals in 10 years, it is your life–you make the plan!!

Jack Canfield has “101 Lifetime Goals” http://jackcanfield.com/blog/my-101-lifetime-goals-list-and-why-you-should-have-one-too/

Most important goals according to these ranks https://www.ranker.com/list/most-important-life-goals-list/samantha-dillinger

Another guy’s list of 100 Life Goals https://fullylived.com/100-life-goals-list/

There are MANY ideas from a variety of bloggers—google some ideas, take ideas you like and make your own list to help you live the life you want!

TAKE SOME TIME TO ASK SOME BIG QUESTIONS: Take a weekend getaway or a day while you are on vacation. Maybe you take just a day alone to sit with yourself and ask some life questions. Use the time to get a renewed perspective of where you are and where you want to be. Ask yourself, “What inspires me?” “What have I learned from past mistakes or failures–what life lessons have I learned” “What do I value?” “Am I truly grateful?” “What are three things I need to look closer at in my life & work on?” “What am I the most afraid of?” “If I had a magic wand, what would I wish for? (no limitations)” “What do I need in my life to grow?” “How strong is my self-worth & do I truly care about my needs?” “Is there something I enjoy doing that I don’t take enough time to do it more often?” “When do I feel most vulnerable?” “What am I the most proud of in my life?” “What am I focusing the majority of my time on in my life?” “Do I feel passion?” “What do I need at this moment in my life?”

SHAKE IT UP! Your environment, the foods you eat, the same people you surround yourself with, your daily routines, all add to states of comfort and stagnation. Take some time to shake things up–look on Groupon or a local activity sites to see if there is something fun to do to shake up your routine. Try something new each week (a new meal, a new work outfit, surprise someone with a lunch picnic during your work break, find a new way to work, learn a new recipe, listen to a different style of music (Alexa has all kinds of play lists), a new workout, join a club that you are interested in, etc.

INVEST IN YOU! Are you doing something/anything for you? Take a class, learn a new skill or talent. Is there something you have always wanted to do or try?? Is there a book you have been wanting to read, but have not made the time. Is there an exercise class you have wanted to try? Is there something you can do/learn to boost your confidence? Is there a craft class you have been wondering about? Have you always wanted a monthly massage? Is there a workshop or seminar you have been interested in?Are you following & listening to your heart? Are you taking care of your health? Are you choosing things that make you feel happy?

Why is investing in yourself so powerful? Investing in yourself, sends a powerful message to yourself and the world. The message is:The value and potential that I possess, is important enough to me that I’m going to give it the energy, space and time to grow and create results. -huffington post

When you are taking time to do something for yourself, everyone around you benefits. You feel more alive, awakened, challenged, rejuvenated…investing in you is a win. win.

FIND AWE: The feelings you get from standing in a grove of trees, looking up into a starry night sky, having a space or feeling that seems to transdend. This is one strong human emotion. Many studies showed that people who frequently experience awe tend to have lower levels of a substance that’s been linked to stress and poor health. As part of a recent two-part study at the University of California, Berkeley, students filled out a questionnaire describing their feelings over the past month and submitted samples of their saliva to test for a substance linked with stress in the body. The students who said they’d recently experienced feelings of awe were more likely than students who hadn’t to have lower levels of the stress-linked substance (called interleukin-6) in their spit. In fact, the more often a student said they’d experienced awe in the past month, the lower his or her levels of the substance tended to be (More on the details of the study and its findings here). -businessinsider article

Awe-inspiring moments take us to a deeper place and help us realize that we are part of something so much bigger than ourselves. How to look for daily experiences of awe: being moved by music, looking at the light of the world & seeing the shadows, repetitive patterns in nature, finding the sacred in quiet moments, noticing the colors changing, seeing someone have a giving heart.

Here is a great article that talks more in-depth about the emotion of awe. https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/why_do_we_feel_awe

Well, I hope this is a good start for your personal Life Passage. Life should be cherished.

-Peace and Love to you today. -H

Stories to Inspire from the Olympics

Published on February 12, 2018 by goforthegood1Leave a comment

I think the various stories from the Olympics send messages of HOPE, INSPIRATION and a spirit of NEVER GIVING UP!! I am going to fill this post with articles, videos, commercials, anything I can find that stirs the soul and screams GREAT!! Enjoy.

RED: Well, right out of the gate was the incredible slope style snowboard run of the young, 17-year-old Red who came from behind to win GOLD for USA. It was amazing to watch!! If you have not seen the finals–google it & enjoy. It was an amazing competition.

Here is something GREAT I found. What he is ‘grateful’ about…

PITA: Someone else I was impressed with—“The Shiny guy that walks with the flag.” There is definitely more to Pita Taufatofua. I watched an interview with him & was SO impressed with his Olympic spirit of NEVER GIVE UP, I had to learn more.

Here is an AWESOME article on his journey to the Rio Olympics and then his one year challenge to make it to the winter olympics. It is a great story!! Great guy!! https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2018/02/09/the-well-oiled-tongan-from-rio-is-in-pyeongchang-and-still-well-oiled/?utm_term=.7e03f87d57d5

NORWAY: I also LOVED seeing the ‘Come from behind’ “Norway’s Miracle on Snow” story. Check out the story in this video link http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/miracle-snow-relive-kruegers-epic-gold-performance

OLYMPIC SISTERS: How cool is this story about two sisters, playing the same sport, but for different countries. The history, the love, the friendship…https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/winter-olympics-2018/2018/02/08/hannah-marissa-brandt-sisters-olympic-hockey-tournament/322498002/

Hope you enjoyed those great stories, but Olympic ads are always enjoyable too. Here are a couple I have been inspired by so far. Enjoy.

Well, that is all for today. I hope these stories of inspiration will make your day a little brighter. There are so many good stories, so many people who inspire, so take the time to learn about the Olympians, their stories, their struggles, their triumphs!!

Life is good!! Peace to you today. -H

Finding your EXTRAORDINARY

Published on July 27, 2017 by goforthegood1Leave a comment

readinglist_findyourextraordinary_0 I recently read a great book by Stella & Dot founder & CEO, Jessica Dilullo Herrin. I had seen her on a previously aired Undercover Boss & wanted to learn more about her. She is a remarkable woman with such talent and vision. It was a great read and I thought you may benefit from some of the ‘highlights’ I took away from this read.

Enjoy…

Even if you’ve tried and failed before, have faith! Here’s the paradox: as much as getting off track is human nature, so is getting creative and surviving.

Simply aim to be a bit better every single day. We are all a work in progress.

Okay, so you don’t have to be perfect, or gifted from birth. Anyone can do something extraordinary. Do you ever look around at the world, evaluate your life, and see the way you would like it to be instead of the way it is? That’s all you need to get started. In fact, that desire to wonder what’s possible is what defines your entrepreneurial spirit. You can nurture this side of you into believing you have the power to create change.

Life is determined not by your past or your circumstances but rather by what you choose to do next. The doing is the difference.

Many times in my life when I’ve come to see that whenever I stop focusing one what I don’t have in comparison to others, and just focus on working hard to deserve what I want, I can change my life in the most extraordinary ways.

Another key lesson: you have to push through self-doubt. You have to embrace fear and failure, it’s the only way that extraordinary is made real.

You will always encounter challenges and setbacks on your journey. But the bold remain steadfastly optimistic and always on the lookout for that hidden doorway–because if you think of any road less traveled as too daunting, you will never even begin the journey to an extraordinary destination.

There is a how-to video on YouTube for just about anything! It’s not the how to do it that’s missing in most people; it’s the confidence and motivation to actually do it.

Mark Twain said it best. “There are two very important days in your life. The day you were born, and the day you figure out why.”

Too many people worry about how qualified they have to be to begin on a path. Too many people worry that their circumstances and knowledge don’t qualify them for taking the next step. But, actually, it’s the steps that qualify you.

I can tell you, I see far more people succeeding because they have focused on believing in themselves rather than being too worried about their lack of expertise to begin.

I find that people often procrastinate or keep spinning their wheels on superfluous tasks out of fear–a fear of moving forward into the unknown. People get stymied by fear of failure or rejection and by stranger danger. Be honest with yourself about what’s really going on if you are thinking too long and embrace the idea that forward momentum is essential.

Great ideas are worthless without action.

Better to hop on the 80 percent right train and get somewhere than stand alone at the station waiting for the perfection train to come along. Its not coming. It must have gotten into a crash with the Polar Express.

Become the leader you want to follow. Regardless of your current role or position, you are always leading the people around you.

I know that I am my greatest source of strength, but I also know that I shine brighter when I turn the light on others.

When I have had the privilege of meeting highly successful people and learning about their lives, I can’t help but note just how many have had to overcome personal hardships that required them to be resilient. They are successful not because they never faced adversity, but because in that moment of hardship they dove into the well of their own strength.

The more you tap into your well of strength, the deeper it gets.

Well, There is SO much more to this book–goal setting, time management, GREAT STORIES, leadership, Self, and more. This was a little sample of her greatness! It is a great read and highly recommended. She has her own great story that she has made & continues to make even better. Take the time to learn from others. It is an incredible personal investment in finding your own extraordinary.

-Peace and Love to you today. -H