The unbearable heat and humidity that had been with us for the last several days was suddenly washed away. Welcomed winds immediately cooled the air, dropping the temperature so quickly we actually felt chilled.

What was most amazing were the stunning, minute-by-minute changes to the sky. Perched on the porch with camera in hand, it was exciting to witness the awesome color changes, the fog rolling in, and then the cleared sky and sunset. Within a short hour, the perspective from the porch had changed dramatically.

Just like life, change often comes quickly and unexpectedly, immediately affecting your perspective as well as your choices. The fog of uncertainty can certainly be challenging. This is why it is so vital to build a foundation of unshakable personal truth. Who are you? What do you stand for? What is most important to you? Then follow that inner guidance system.

How do you handle the storms that enter your life? Follow the Circle of Wisdom (Awareness, Acceptance, Accountability, Action, Achievement, Assess & Adjust) and your choices will become easier. The fog will clear. How you deal with change is entirely within your control. Really. You can choose to let the natural cycle of life nurture or destroy. Whether you find yourself in the middle of a drought, a flood, or gentle rain, with what lens will you choose to view life’s transitions?

The storm will pass. The sun will return. It always does.

Soulful, touching, Susan Boyle recorded Cry Me a River for a charity in 1999. Only 1000 copies of the cd were sold.

It’s never too late. Fear Less – Do More. It’s your time.

When change arrives, new choices become a daily necessity and our comfort zone vanishes.  You have entered a strange territory. With no personal GPS system to guide you, without knowing how to speak the language,

Fear becomes a daily companion.

What about…?
What if…?

Without knowing what the future holds and what’s right around the corner, panic sets in.  Your unknown future looms ahead. It feels dark. Overwhelming. Just like your childhood memories, there is a monster under the bed. Undefined, but very real.  What will you do?

It’s up to you. Is this an obstacle or opportunity?

You actually have a crystal ball.  You just don’t know how to use it to light your new path.  It’s easy. Closely examine your history; you’ll find you’ve been here before.

What personal strengths can you draw upon? What life lessons have you learned? Chances are you have been through change before. Perhaps an opportunity slipped by, an opportunity you really wanted. You were upset, even depressed, when the door of opportunity closed. But then what happened? Who did you meet? What new opportunities presented themselves? When patterns are broken, a new path presents itself.

Let go of old lifestyles, what was, what might have been. Focus on your strengths (and you have many.) What gets measured, gets improved.

It’s time to simplify. Fear Less – Do More. I know you can.

Please share your thoughts below. No need to share your name if you’d rather not. But don’t let lack of confidence hold you back from helping someone else. Who knows? Sharing how you forged a new path could help many women who are now where you used to be.

Change is good. You go first!

What does success mean to you?  Loving relationships? Financial security? Fulfilling career? Making a difference?

For me, success has never been about money or what money can buy. Success is living authentically, aligning lifestyle to values, and creating a community of women who share my vision of making eyes shine bright with confidence and clarity.

How many eyes will shine because of me? Depends. Do I have a driving conviction to act on this vision or will self-doubt stifle my vision?

Fear Less – Live More

I believe in dreams, focused action, and that we each have a gift to share. It may be a view. A life experience. A gift of listening. Unfortunately, fear and lack of confidence often rears its ugly head and gets in the way of sharing our gifts with those who need it most.  If you don’t believe in yourself, who else will?

Having a belief in yourself and your convictions benefits everyone around you. Your conviction and enthusiasm is contagious. Belief will cause eyes to shine with joy, understanding, and hope. Just like Benjamin Zander.

The Gift of Deep Listening

Benjamin Zander, conductor of the Boston Philharmonic since 1979, uses his gift of music to help people open their minds to possibilities. Watch the humorous, touching, and eye opening TED conference video as Benjamin Zander explains the gift of listening and how it will transform not only your life but those around you.

“In the face of difficulty, we can despair, get angry, or choose possibility.” Benjamin Zander, Author, The Art of Possibility

“One of the most inspiring, practical, and uplifting books I have ever read. ” Christiane Northrup, M.D.

How many eyes will shine because of you?  Believe in yourself and be amazed at the transformation. You are a leader, whether you choose to be or not.

Finding Joy, A Simple Truth

If you have ever needed a gentle wake up call to remember what’s most important in life…watch this beautiful 3 minute movie. I’ve watched it many times and every time I am moved by the simplicity of … joy.

Pay it forward by sharing this post with friends, family and co-workers – they will love you for it.

Click on the link to watch the movie Finding Joy. Be inspired.

Want to share with friends? Use the email link above the post or share with the social networks using the links below.

Blessings.

Easter Basket

No one knows what life’s next chapter holds. But one thing is clear. Putting all your eggs in one basket is a recipe for disaster when you fall down. And you will.

Unexpectedly.

Developing a strong network of trusted friendships, lifestyle skills, and diversified financial accounts will see you through difficulty. Remember balance and diversity in all things.

Everyone Needs a Friend with Big Ears

Girlfriends

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if you could share feelings and dreams without fear of being judged? Or be on the receiving end of well intended advice?

The gift of listening is rare. The gift of actually hearing what the other person says is even harder to come by.

As much as you want to be heard, so does the other person. Family, friends, co-workers, clients. Everyone is looking to be understood. Imagine each person with a sign around their neck that says, “Please, listen to me. Hear what I am saying.”

Provide that service and you will be counted among the most trusted of friends, colleagues, or advisor.

All Work and No Play Can Make You a Basket Case

Enough said.

You Can Only Fool Us for a Short Time

What? The Easter Bunny isn’t real?

I’m sure you’ve experienced it. That let down feeling when you found out someone wasn’t who you thought they were? Be genuine. Especially to yourself.

You deserve it.

The Dash Movie - Making a Difference

The air was crisp, the sun warm. Perfect morning for a walk. As soon as he saw me put on my shoes, Casey intuitively knew play time had arrived. Wiggling all over from head to toe, my 4 legged companion was excitedly anticipating his daily run.  Leash in hand, off we went.

Perhaps an odd place for most, the cemetery is a favorite place for us to visit. The restorative natural beauty of  trees, water, and newly budding trees is perfect for quieting my mind, changing my perspective and remembering priorities.

The headstones tell a story of their own, signifying the lives of people I never personally knew. In an especially reflective mood today, I took time to pay attention to the names and dates.  Spouses who had outlived the other ten years or longer. How did they cope? Children whose lives were cut short. Soldiers, grandparents, moms and dads. They each have a story to tell.

If you have lived long enough you have experienced loss of some form or another. A life.  A marriage. A friendship. A job. A lifestyle.

I wonder.  If you knew you only had 5 years left, how would you spend them? What about one year? Or one day?

We never know what the future holds.  Today make a choice that will a difference. A difference in your life. A difference in the life of others.

As for me, I’ve carved out a moment to step back and look at the big picture. No matter how long we live, life is short. Live the dash.

Note: The Dash Movie by Linda Ellis has been watched over 50 million times. Enjoy and then forward this post with either the “Email” link or “ShareThis” link.

Security - What does it mean to you?

Most women I speak with immediately mention the ability to maintain both their freedom and financial independence. They don’t want to rely on someone else to take care of them.

Security doesn’t mean a life without change or challenge.  Security is about developing the skills, self-confidence and self-assurance to make wise decisions. To know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that you  will not be taken advantage of and can become self-sufficient regardless of circumstances.

The only real security in life is believing in yourself and your abilities. You are a nurturer. You have taken care of children, parents, husbands, employees, co-workers and pets. It’s time to carve out some time to take care of you. Do you know who you are? What you want?

Be still. Listen to your inner voice. Discover who you are and what you want. Make a plan and take action. Life is too short to wait.

Please let me know how I can help.

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edit: Video has been removed from Yidio. (

Life is seldom as it appears.

• Mr. Peabody knows he’s a genious. But he still asks questions before acting. Do you?
• By showering in their armour, the soldiers create the very thing they fear most, rust. What fears do you have that are self-fulfilling?
• Solutions often come from unexpected sources. Are you open to new ideas?
• We need leaders willing to use unconventional solutions and take action. It’s not enough to have ideas, you must act.
• Termites?  Destruction of old ideas brings opportunity for needed change.

I know life is challenging. These challenges will not be resolved any time soon. We’ve come through hard times before. The Great Depression. World War I and II. Vietnam. World Trade Center. But through those times men and women of character shaped this nation. It is in times of despair that we lift each other up.

In challenge comes greatness. I believe in America and her people. I believe in you.