Susan Boyle – Cry Me a River

Susan Boyle’s mom made a difference.  Susan took care of her mom until her mom’s passing at age 91. Asked where she got the courage to go on Brittain’s Got Talent, she said it was all because of her mother.

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.

Change is Good – You Go First

Change. Unexpected or chosen, change complicates our life.

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!

Susan Boyle’s Dream – Life’s New Beginning

What appears to be not always is. Susan Boyle, a contestant on the 2009 show, Brittain’s Got Talent, stunned the world with her performance, proving that it’s never too late to dream or change life’s direction.

Your Gift – How many eyes will shine because of you?

What is Your Definition of Success?

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 in Uncertain Times

In times of uncertainty, when you begin to question everything, it’s more important than ever to be still and take a moment for reflection.

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.

The Best Way to Rob a Bank is to Own One

The best way to rob a bank? Own one.

This according to William Black, author of the book The Best Way to Rob a Bank Is to Own One: How Corporate Executives and Politicians Looted the S&L Industry

Currently an Associate Professor teaching Economics and Law at the University of Missouri, his book paints a picture of the fraud that occurred during the 1980’s Savings &Loan  crisis from his front row seat as a senior regulator.

William Black calls it as he sees it.

Our current financial meltdown a “moral crisis” and one of calculated dishonesty.

“A single bank, IndyMac, lost more money than the entire savings and loan crisis.”

The difference between now and then, explains Black, is a drastic reduction in regulation and oversight, “We now know what happens when you destroy regulation. You get the biggest financial calamity of anybody under the age of 80.”

What is so important to understand that the checks and balances, the regulations meant to protect our fiinancial system, vanished once again. Will we never learn?

Watch the April 3rd Bill Moyers’ PBS video interview to hear William Black’s insight and full analysis. (opens in a new window) Please share your thoughts.

Financial Serenity – Second Step Acceptance

Financial serenity begins with acceptance.

The second step in the Swan Circle of Wisdom is Acceptance.  You must embrace your current reality before you map out and begin your personal journey to financial serenity.

Balancing the wisdom of knowing what you actually control and learning what you must accept will transform your life. You cannot control the passage of time, world events, or the daily fluctuation of the stock markets.

But you can control your thoughts, attitudes and perspectives.

You can choose how you spend your time, how much you choose to spend or save, and where you place your money to ensure either its protection or potential growth. You can choose to find an advisor you trust.

You can decide to make an investment that is guaranteed to provide you with an exceptional return on your time and money. Education and skill building.

By laying a foundation of personal awareness, you will realize that the power to change direction lies with you. Watch the video and understand that the most serious threat to your future and that of your children is our country’s addiction to debt.

Accept the truth. Then take control. I’m here to help. Please take time to share your thoughts. Let me know if you are interested in a Women & Money workshop by either posting below or contact me.

Next Step Accountability, the Freedom of Responsibility

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.

The Collapse of the Middle Class

With mortage rates at 6%, it would be a stretch to make the payments on the house of their dreams. But they were young, full of dreams and determination. They were ready to start their family and could just see the big back yard filled with children and pets. Yes, it was perfect. This was home.

One income, one car, one payment. They clipped coupons, shopped sales, and raised 3 children in this home. It was 1952 and the house cost $12,500.  Twenty years later it was paid for.

Fast forward 1970’s:

With mortgage rates at 7.5%, it would be a stretch to make payments on their first house. But this was a handyman house. They were young, full of dreams, and determination and knew with a little sweat equity they could make this work. Ready to start their family, they could visualize the back yard as a family gathering place, filled with picnics, children’s parties, and dog. Yes, it was perfect. And home.

Dad had a full-time income. Mom had an ongoing part-time job, but work was flexible. She stayed home when the children were born. She stayed home when grandparents needed help. She went to work when dad got laid off. They clipped coupons, shopped sales, entertained at home. It was 1974 and the house was $22,500 with 5 acres of land.

Fast Forward Today:

The house was perfect. With the recent housing crisis, mortgages rates had come down to 6%. Yes, it would be a bit of a stretch, but they both had great jobs, were young, and full of dreams and determination. The back yard would be perfect for raising children.

Two full time jobs, two cars, full-time child care. They have no time to be sick and heaven forbid either of them should lose a job. It’s 2008 and the house was $210,000.

Author of the Two Income Trap, Harvard University Professor Elizabeth Warren believes the single most profound economic shift of the second half of the 20th century is the millions of mothers who entered the paid workforce. This is not a view against women in the workforce. It is an enlightened study as how we spend money.

The trap? More income equals more risk.

We’re working harder and have less. Although it is now more likely to have two incomes, we haven’t improved our financial strength. Instead of becoming wealthy with the second income, we not only have consumed the entire second income, but spent the 11% the one-income family was able to save back in the 1970’s and on top of that spend 15% of our annual income on revolving credit card debt.

If a household depends on 2 incomes to meet their housing obligations, what happens if one of them gets sick or loses a job?

The eye opening statistics show that we are not spending more on necessities of food and clothing, even considering how much we eat out or spend on designer clothing for our children.

Watch as Harvard University Professor Elizaeth Warren shares her insightful research and thoughts about the coming collapse of the middle class. It doesn’t have to be this way. I believe it’s not too late to change.

(Fast forward 5 minutes into the video to the beginning of Professor Warren’s talk.)

March 2008 Video – Validation

Give before you get. Insight and inspiration for how to live life. Enjoy.

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