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.

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.

Life is too short not to dream.

Last time I shared a video which made you laugh.

Although the videos below will also bring laughter into your life, their purpose goes far beyond entertainment. These powerful and touching lessons will make you pause and ponder, remind and nudge you of childhood dreams.

Carnegie Mellon Professor Randy Pausch has touched the world with his shared life lessons. Dying from pancreatic cancer, he gave his uplifting “Last Lecture” about achieving childhood dreams on September 28, 2007 before a packed auditorium. Warning. The video is long. It is touching. It will give you the power to change your thinking. His book, The Last Lecture, went on sale April 8.

If you would like a much shorter condensed version of Randy Pausch’s lessons (less than 10 minutes) watch the program as aired on the Oprah show in March, 2008.

Let’s all put more living into life. Your future begins today.

Next week we will start a monthly series on Money. How to Avoid the Five Most Common Money Mistakes Women Make. Go to the top right hand corner and sign up for the Swan Journal so you don’t miss a single issue.