Life at the airport.

I have a love/hate relationship with flying - I love being able to cross half the country in a matter of hours rather than sitting in a car for a couple of long days; I hate needing to hurry up to get to the airport, and then sit waiting to board a plane to get moving once again. This probably explains one of the reasons why I don’t fly any more than I do.

As I write this, I am sitting at O’Hare airport a bit disappointed, having just heard that my flight will be delayed for two hours. Fortunately, I am being entertained by the lives that are unfolding around me with my faithful furry companion at my side. To my right are a couple traveling with their granddaughter. They must have done this before because they came prepared with a laptop, headphones and a Barbie movie to entertain the little girl while we all wait. If I get bored writing, I may find myself engrossed in the tale of the plastic perfect 10 and the three Musketeers.

Some other people have reading material, but the vast majority seem to simply be staring off into space, hoping that somehow that will alter the speed of time. The man directly across from me is actually twiddling his thumbs. I don’t know that I have ever witnessed someone doing this. It is somehow mesmerizing.

The most interesting cameo is an airport employee handling a situation with a lost wallet. The wallet was recovered, but the latest twist is the claim by the passenger that $150 is missing. I think the passenger is out the purported cash, as I can’t imagine how you would prove it was there. It kind of falls into the same Bermuda Triangle arena as “when a tree falls in the woods and no one is around to hear it, did it actually happen?”

Thank you for enduring my diatribe. It has helped me pass nearly 10 whole minutes! Perhaps I should take the lead of my dog and simply take a nap. The next time I write will be from sunny Florida once again. Until then...

Thank you for reading and be well.

© 2009 Dr. Shannon Reece

Make way!

The leaves falling from the trees is always the signal that new growth is just around the corner. In some climates Mother Nature can seem to take her time when winters are long, dark and cold. But the point is that we must shed what is no longer needed in preparation for something fresh and new.

What do you need to shed to allow more growth in your business, your relationship, your life? For me, I am finally unclenching my hands and allowing the last of the “what if’s,” “how’s” and “why’s” to drop away so that I can focus on the manifestation of my dreams. I have embraced a mindset of possibility. I will never know whether I will succeed or fail if I never try. I will never know the best ways to produce growth if I don’t roll up my sleeves and learn how to do it. I will never know vast levels of achievement in my business if I don’t embrace an attitude of “why not!” and jump in with both feet.

Take a moment today to dig deep and determine what thoughts, habits, relationships or beliefs might be holding you back from achieving your greatest potential. Now is the time. Take a lesson from the trees and shed all the things that are getting in the way of allowing new growth in your life.

Thanks for reading and be well.

© 2009 Dr. Shannon Reece

Boning up on branding.

I have spent the past day and a half studying the wisdom of branding expert, Rob Frankel. Some of you may ask, “What is so important about branding?” Everything! I recently realized the following - there is a vast ocean of coaches with whom I swim; even though the solutions I offer are dramatically different than the next business coach, unless I educate my potential clients, I will simply look like all the rest. That is where a brand strategy comes into play. The Frankel Prime Directive is as follows:

“Branding is not about getting your targets to choose you over your competition. Branding is about getting your prospects to see you as the only solution to their problem.” - From The Revenge of Brand X (see http://www.robfrankel.com)

As I have tried to wrap my brain around the best brand strategy for my growing business it is clear why there are experts, like Rob, with the experience to help. Trying to come up with your own branding concept is like trying to see how your bottom looks as you walk down the street in the new jeans you just bought. It would require you to step outside your own body to get that perspective. When you are so close to the company you have built, it is not a simple task to look at it objectively and put yourself in the shoes of your ideal client.

If you are wondering why your customers are not beating down the door, begging to work with you or buy your product you might want to take a close look at your brand strategy. If it’s not strong and consistent, and imbedded in the way your phones are answered all the way to product, service and delivery, you may need to make some adjustments. In today’s economy, where first impressions are crucial, don’t let money walk right off your web page or out your door because you have not distinctly positioned yourself as the only solution to your client’s problem. Hire the expert and relish the return on investment.

Thank you for reading and be well.

© 2009 Dr. Shannon Reece

What a difference a week can make!

Thank you again for your patience while I took some much needed time to focus on my business. The past week has been very productive and I have concluded that it is time to jump in with both feet. I think I have been trying too hard to avoid making any bad decisions about my business strategy, to the extent that I was paralyzing myself. I simply needed time to figure out the steps and the right order in which to implement them. I made it and am on track.

I will be bringing you along on this journey, so hold onto your seat and let’s go! Beginning this Wednesday, there will only be 100 days left until the end of 2009. I intend to make the most of that time and get more done than I have in years. I am grabbing hold of a personal challenge and you can too. What have you been wanting to accomplish but haven’t started? Do you want to lose some weight, pay off debt, start a business? It’s okay to think big, as long as you are committed to doing whatever it takes to get the job done. If you are ready to rock, take the next two days to write down your personal pledge.

I am committed to strongly positioning my business and earning a multiple five figure income in the next 100 days. Wow! Now it is out there in cyberspace, so I have no choice but to get it done. I can’t wait to cross over into 2010 and set my next personal challenge! Join me on this adventure and please share your challenge with me. We can be accountability partners.

I will be sharing my successes with you every few days as I go along and hope you will let me know how you are doing too. Thank you for reading and be well.

© 2009 Dr. Shannon Reece

Thank you for reading!

Today marks the 30th blog since I began blogging last month. To those who have been faithfully reading each day, I wish to say thank you! For those of you who have been sporadically reading, I still say thank you! If this is the first time you have checked out my blog, please take some time to read the archived messages and come back for new posts on Monday, September 21st.

If I have disappointed anyone for taking a break, I do apologize. I have really enjoyed writing to you each day, but am spending this next week working on my brand strategy. I just finished an hour long session with Branding Specialist, Rob Frankel, and have much to absorb, write and absorb some more. The result will be a much better and focused me for you!

Until the 21st....

Thank you for reading and be well.

It has been eight years...

I remember that morning so clearly. I had just turned on the news and saw one of the towers at the World Trade Center on fire. Just moments later I watched in horror as a plane flew into the second tower. I quickly grabbed the phone to call my parents in Chicago and find out what was going on. The remainder of that awful day I sat stunned in front of my television trying to wrap my brain around how something like that could happen in our country. Terrorism against Americans overseas was and remains prevalent, but I think we had been living for too long with a bullet proof attitude that no one could ever pull off such a feat within our borders. Sadly, we were gravely mistaken.

Today, we remember all those innocents who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. My prayers go out to the families and friends of the victims, and those who tried to rescue them. I wish to thank all the men and women in our Armed Forces who continue to fight for our safety and freedom each day. This is something we should never take for granted because blood has been shed for each of us to live in peace. Remember today and every day to pray for God’s shield over our nation. As we continue to push Him out of every aspect of our lives we don’t deserve His protection from those who wish to destroy us. But for each day that passes without disaster I am thankful for His grace.

Thank you for reading and be well.

Do you ever wonder how you will die?

This topic emerged today as I sat twice this afternoon in the back of cabs sailing at high speeds around the city of Chicago. Let me preface by stating that I really appreciate a speedy ride to my desired destination as much as the next person, but I am particularly fond of arriving in one piece.

I have been making a couple of trips each week to the city for the past month and a half. The peaceful train ride is my favorite part of the trek, during which I have been able to get a tremendous amount of work done. Instead of three hours wasted, I find the time to be incredibly productive. Perhaps it is the gentle chugging along that gets my mental juices flowing....Sorry, back to the cabbies.

The cab rides are a completely different experience. I love to get from point A to point B in expeditious fashion, but there have been a few moments when I nearly suggested that my driver lighten the lead load in his foot. Between the jet propelled excelerations and near vomit inducing sudden stops, I have had visions of my spinal chord snapping in two at the neck or of my face slamming into the plexiglass that separates me from the driver. I really can’t afford the amount of plastic surgery it would take to fix that kind of boo-boo.

The continuation of my life is not the only issue. Have you ever seen how close the drivers come to picking off the pedestrians in the crosswalks? I swear there must be a daily contest back at the dispatch for the driver who can successfully clip a person without drawing blood. I would love to know where most of the cab drivers get their behind the wheel instruction. Their lack of road etiquette reminds me of the elderly drivers in Florida. The excuses of the latter group includes poor eyesight, loss of coordination, and the general attitude of “I am too old to give a fig, so deal!” But that is an entirely different blog topic.

So the next time you are in a cab with one of the nation’s finest behind the wheel, I wish you God’s speed and a safe journey, if it is possible to achieve both.

Thanks for reading and be well.

Setting yourself up for success.

I took some time last night to listen to a Tony Robbin’s interview with John Reese, the internet marketer who made a million dollars in one day. Fascinating story! One of the major keys to his success was his mindset. Wanting more from life was not enough. He had to solidly believe he was capable of hitting that mark.

In my own business, it is not enough for me to want to be highly successful and reach thousands. I have to nurture a solid image of that reality in my mind. My self-image must support my dreams in order for them to become my future.

Our success or failure is a self-fulfilling prophecy. According to Tony Robbins, the mindset is cyclical. Your image of self is the point from which you determine your potential. Your perceived potential drives you to a certain level of action. That level of action produces a result. And the result you experience reinforces your belief or self-image. So if you have a low self-image, you will perceive yourself to have limited potential, which will lead to low action, producing poor results. The results will stand to reaffirm your original belief, and so on. Limited thinking will produce limited success.

The power begins with your perception of self. What do you spend the majority of your time thinking about when it comes to your potential? Your thoughts create your words, and your words create your reality. You are in complete control of the future you will experience. If you can’t see it, talk openly about it, and embrace it with emotion it will not manifest in your life. So what do you really want your life to look like?

I challenge you to begin thinking about what it is you really want; become aware of whether your thoughts support this with certainty; if not, then begin the process of making your desire bigger than your limiting self beliefs. Be aware of the power you have to elicit change in your life. The image that emanates from deep within your soul will be the driving force in creating your future. Create with intention!

Thank you for reading and be well.

Farewell to summer.

By the time Labor Day weekend rolls around most kids have returned to school, families have taken their final summer vacation, and in northern climates men are breathing a communal sigh of relief that the lawn mower will soon be stored for the winter. For many, this long weekend is the last big hurrah before we bid adieu to summer.

As you take a moment to nostalgically reflect on your warm weather escapades, how would you rate your summer? I have provided a scoring system below to make things simple:

1 = My summer was nothing special. I passed the time in my cubicle at work as I would any other time of the year. The highlight was trying the latest lunch options from Lean Cuisine.

2 = My summer was okay. I tried to start a backyard garden, but fell into a patch of poison oak. After two weeks of impersonating the Pink Panther, covered in calamine lotion, I rejoined the human race. I salvaged the summer by planning some weekend outings with friends and family, keeping my distance from all things leafy and green.

3 = My summer was good. I took a few long weekends from work and spent lots of quality time with family and friends. I expanded my horizons by signing up for a Hip Hop dance class. It probably would have been more fun if the mean age in the group was greater than ten. I have concluded that there might be better ways to recapture my youth.

4 = My summer was excellent! I took six weeks of much needed vacation time, got everything done on my adventure check-list, and became honorary spokesperson for Jose Cuervo. I even had time to get some projects done around the house. I never knew the satisfaction of a job well done before mastering the art of delegation from a pool floaty.

5 = My summer was off the charts, the best ever!!! I spent three months sailing around the Hawaiian islands. I blogged my adventures on the high seas and was offered a book deal when I got home. My advance was substantial, so I have decided to quit my job to repeat the experience. Who knew blogging could be so much fun!

If you could have done it better or know that you did it with flair, I would love to have you share your summer fun by leaving a comment below. Like any other time of the year, summertime is what you make it, and luckily do-overs come around once a year.

Thanks for reading and be well.

And I said, "Thank you," with a smile. (The Conclusion)

I think that the mind can fast forward sometimes, when someone begins to tell you a story, as it tries to figure out the ending before it is presented. I probably could have woven a hundred different versions of what this man’s life was all about - his purpose on this earth. But there was something in the way that he spoke to me that kept my mind tightly focused on each and every word as his story unfolded.

Nearly two decades ago the man had been an Army Lt. in the Gulf War. He claimed that his greatest accomplishment was not in winning any battles, but in safely bringing all of his soldiers home to their families. Though the war had been short, his time overseas had taken its toll and he retired shortly after the conflict ended. His life’s passion was to be in the service of others, keeping them out of harms way. This man was a Guardian.

On September 11th, 2001 he assisted the rescue workers, fire fighters and police as they extricated people from the soot and rubble of the Twin Towers. The man’s voice cracked as he described the horror and sadness of that day. I could see the pain of loss in his face, though he did not personally know any who perished. While so many of us were frozen in front of our televisions in the aftermath of those awful days, he was at the epicenter making whatever difference one man could. This man was a Guardian.

For the past five years the man had been on the road. He moved from town to town as if blown by the wind. The only constant in his life seemed to be the people whose paths he crossed. They all needed to safely find their way and miraculously this man walked into their lives the moment they needed assistance in one form or another. He was the voice in the darkness for the young boy who had gotten lost in a maze of storm sewers. His hand was the one the old woman held tight to while the firemen cleared the tornado strewn debris of a church in which they had been trapped. His eyes were the first thing the drowning man had seen smiling over him after being rescued from a rip current. His strength was appreciated by the victims of hurricane Katrina whose house he helped rebuild one board at a time. This man was a Guardian.

I was no longer cold as I listened to his life. The compassion and service this man offered to complete strangers warmed me to the core. My heart, that had been so heavy just a short time before, was now lighter as I felt wrapped in a comforting sense of peace and renewed purpose. There had been so many times in my life when God knew just what I needed to bring a smile to my face, put a spring back into my step, or in this case, restore hope in my life. As if God were whispering to me through the story of this man’s life of service, my eyes were opened to the possibility that my layoff today cleared the way for something bigger in my life.

Now nine months later, as I reflect on the magic of that evening in the cold with the Guardian, I am so thankful that God placed him on my path. Had it not been for that encounter, I could have so easily sought a job similar to the one I had lost and stayed on a road that lacked purpose. Instead, I was challenged to be something more, contribute something greater and to serve others in the process. I chose a direction that allowed me to shine a light in the lives of those around me so that I, too, could be a guardian and help people safely find their way. I had never quite known what I would do with my life until that night when everything came into focus.

When the man finished his story, I realized that the time had come for him to move on. He had fulfilled his mission. I understood then what he meant when he said it had nothing to do with the windshield. It had everything to do with my heart and the seed of hope and change that was planted. I sat quietly with my thoughts as I drove him to the bus station that night. He never asked anything of me, but after the gift he had given by sharing his story I offered to buy his ticket. In his quiet way, he accepted my gratitude.

“Do you think I will ever see you again?” I asked, already knowing the answer in my heart.

“My work is done here,” he answered, and I accepted the blessing of his friendship for that evening.

“I don’t know that I will ever be able to explain the impact you have had on my life tonight and the ripple of change that has begun,” I started. “It has been an honor to meet you.”

The man smiled at me with those deep blue eyes and replied, “God is a Maestro when it comes to orchestrating our lives. I am humbled to be His servant.”

He gathered his pack, standing there with me one last time. With my eyes dancing for the first time in years, I shook his hand and I said, “Thank you!” with a smile.

Thank you for reading and be well.

And I said, "Thank you," with a smile. (Part 2)

I assumed he was your typical homeless person and hoped he had a shelter to go to this evening for a warm meal and blanket. “Maybe I should offer him a few bucks,” I thought, “but he might just go use it on booze.” Again something pinged inside my heart as I listened to the judgmental thoughts that were running around my head. Shrugging it off, still pretty sure I had pegged this man, I confidently asked, “So you got a place to stay tonight? I can recommend a shelter a couple blocks from here.”

The man just smiled. “Thank you for your concern, but I am not homeless,” he answered quietly. And he didn’t say more.

“Oh, I just assumed because you...uhh...” I stammered.

“Most people do.”

I was getting colder by the minute, but just couldn’t squelch my curiosity about this man. “Do you live around here?” I probed.

“Nope. Just passing through,” he said simply.

Continuing my line of questioning I asked, “Do you clean people’s windshields often?”

“No. I only do it for those who really need it.”

“Do you mean for people whose windshields were as dirty as mine?” I asked, seeking clarification of his statement.

“It has nothing to do with the windshield,” the man answered.

I had to know, “Why did you feel the need to clean mine? You said you wanted me to clearly find my way tonight.”

“That’s right,” he said, “to help you find your way tonight.”

“But I don’t understand,” I responded, getting a bit exasperated by now, and not because of the cold.

The tall thin man took a long breath, and began to explain his purpose to me as we both stood beneath the lamppost in the bitter cold.

(To be continued Monday)

Thanks for reading and be well.

_________________________________________

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And I said, "Thank you," with a smile.

It had been a very long day at the office, one I would just as soon forget. I knew times were tough, but I wasn’t expecting to lose my job. The reality that I would be facing the unemployment ranks in the morning was still sinking in. “Why,” I wondered, “does life have to be so unfair sometimes?”

The bitter wind took my breath away as I headed for my car. A bout of wet snow the past several days had caked my car in a combination of dried muck and road salt. “I’ll get it washed this weekend,” I thought, “but right now I just want to get home.” As I hurried across the parking lot in the growing darkness, avoiding the occasional patch of ice, I noticed a figure in the distance who seemed to be crouched over the hood of my car. “What the heck?!” I muttered as I picked up my pace to investigate this unwelcome surprise. As I approached, I watched the tall thin man turn to face me.

My first instinct was to take a defensive posture in case this stranger dared to confront me. But my aggressive stance melted the moment the light of the overhead lamppost illuminated his face. Before me was not a man with ill intent, but a man with the most peaceful, friendly blue eyes, that seemed to burn a hole right through to my heart.

“Hello,” he said. “Rather cold out tonight.”

“Yes,” was all I replied, still entranced by something I saw in his face. There was a story behind those blue pools that danced in the light. His face was well worn, probably from years of exposure to sun and wind. He was dressed in layers of tattered, but clean old clothes, barely enough to fight off the cold for even a short period of time. Beside him was his pack. I guessed it contained the sum of his possessions. And in his hands he held a rag and a spray bottle with a remnant of blue liquid.

“Thought your windshield needed a bit of cleaning,” he said, interrupting my thoughts, “so you could clearly find your way tonight.”

“Uh, thanks,” I managed, while thinking, if he only knew.

“Rough day?” he asked.

“You could say that,” I answered, wondering if I had given something away in my face. But even as the words came out I felt a twinge of guilt thinking that my life was hard compared to his. What did I have to complain about? Sure I had lost my job today, but at least I had a warm place to lay my head tonight. What about this man?

(To be continued tomorrow)

Thank you for reading and be well.

________________________________________________________

To eliminate any confusion:

If you have subscribed to the service FeedMyInbox (from my website home page) to receive this blog via daily email and would like to interact with me using the buttons I describe below, simply click on the Does my life have a rewind button OR the title of the blog at the top of your email and you will be redirected to the blog page.

I have added a Share button at the top of the page. Please forward this message to those you think might be inspired by it. My dream is to reach as many people as I can with thoughts to lift their spirits and bring a smile to their face.

Feel free to click on the Comment link below or http://tinyurl.com/mahvkn and let me know your thoughts. I appreciate your feedback!

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The inherent purpose of the middle child.

I have another reader to thank for today’s post on the middle child. We seem to share the desire to care for our parents in their elderly years. Please allow me to preface this tongue and cheek post by stating that I will be honored to care for my parents someday, as they have so beautifully, graciously and generously cared for me (and still are). Having gotten that out of the way, let me say that the middle child is the backup plan in the family. I will explain what I mean by that.

There seems to be an inherent purpose, or survival instinct among propagating parents to have three or more children. This strategic planning provides long term care protection in the event of worst-case scenarios. The oldest child can often be a controlling, Type-A personality, who, if left to his or her own devices might end up incapacitated with hypertension from a fast, stress-filled lifestyle. Therefore parents may have to count the oldest child out of the potential care giver role. Next, you have the youngest child. Many parents refer to the baby of the family as the wild child, free spirit, or blaze-your-own-trail type. In this worst-case scenario, the youngest may have joined a commune in the desert or moved to Botswana to teach orphans to read. So perhaps parents shouldn’t rely on the baby of the family. The only logical solution is to have at least three children to produce a middle child, a.k.a., the backup kid.

The middle child is the safe bet, as he/she is usually the easy going type. They are hard-working but not too serious or too wild. Like the story of Goldilock’s and the Three Bears, the appropriate choice for future caregiver is the middle child, who is just right. In my family, my parents created a backup for the backup by having four children. They like to plan ahead and have successfully covered all their bases. Truth be told, they will probably be sorry one day for having so many of us, as we will all want to be there for them in every way they need and may possibly drive them crazy with all the attention. So if you are a parent and planning for your long term care, be sure to have your backup kid in position just in case.

Thank you for reading and be well.

_________________________________________________

To eliminate any confusion:

If you have subscribed to the service FeedMyInbox (from my website home page) to receive this blog via daily email and would like to interact with me using the buttons I describe below, simply click on the Does my life have a rewind button OR the title of the blog at the top of your email and you will be redirected to the blog page.

I have added a Share button at the top of the page. Please forward this message to those you think might be inspired by it. My dream is to reach as many people as I can with thoughts to lift their spirits and bring a smile to their face.

Feel free to click on the Comment link below or http://www.tinyurl.com/yourcomments and let me know your thoughts. I appreciate your feedback!

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Moving on after the big shove-off.

Today’s topic comes from a reader who wrote, "I would love to see your ideas on layoff's and how people are coping;” and are things “really getting better?" First of all, let me say thank you for the comment and inspiration for this post.

Being laid off is not the type of experience you hope to have in your career. It is not something they prepare you for in school. When it was my turn in April, it initially felt as though someone had pulled the rug out from under me. I had waves of emotion ranging from complete shock and anger, to relief and excitement about the prospect of starting something new.

Things are tough and may very well get worse in the coming months. How you process and move through the experience is all a matter of perspective. There are people around the country struggling to make ends meet while attempting to find steady employment. Some will turn inward and shut down because of fear, rejection, anger and hopelessness. Those who can tap into their emotional reserves to be resilient and find the courage to think outside the box will be the ones who ride out the storm and find new direction.

If you or someone you know has been laid off, here are some coping strategies to help create a mindset for successfully navigating the transition:

1. Reflect on your work experience and find the value in it. Make a list of all the skills you acquired, contributions you made and special projects you spearheaded. You want to go into an interview in a position of strength, confident about all you have to offer a prospective employer that sets you apart from your competition.
2. Make a list of all the contacts with whom you had great business relationships. Start networking with them. Having worked with you, they have the ability to offer endorsements that might get you in the right door, or land you the position you have always wanted. Every article I’ve read on finding a job in this market talks about the importance of networking, networking and more networking. The friend of a friend might know of the perfect opportunity that you otherwise would never have found.
3. Don’t waste time wallowing in perceived misfortune. Invest in your mind, heart, body and spirit to reenergize, refocus, learn something new, and begin thinking about all the possibilities before you. No one but you can limit your potential.
4. If you have an entrepreneurial spirit and have always wanted to own a business, there is no better time than the present. The economic climate and growing unemployment crisis is causing people to rethink their future and find creative ways to carve out their own niche. Consult with your friends, mentors and family to see if this might be the right fit for you.

I am blazing my own entrepreneurial trail and am loving every minute of it! But each person must do what their gut is calling them to do. Your life is what you make it, so don’t let anyone sell you a different story. We are not defined by our circumstances, so create the future that you have always wanted. Instead of a layoff being a tragedy, it could be your greatest opportunity for change. “Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain.” - so put on your dancing shoes and join me!

Thank you for reading and be well.

_________________________________________________________________________

To eliminate any confusion:

If you have subscribed to the service FeedMyInbox (from my website home page) to receive this blog via daily email and would like to interact with me using the buttons I describe below, simply click on the Does my life have a rewind button OR the title of the blog at the top of your email and you will be redirected to the blog page.

I have added a Share button at the top of the page. Please forward this message to those you think might be inspired by it. My dream is to reach as many people as I can with thoughts to lift their spirits and bring a smile to their face.

Feel free to click on the Comment link below or http://www.tinyurl.com/yourcomments and let me know your thoughts. I appreciate your feedback!

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The importance of friends.

In my experience, really special friends are a rare blessing in life. There are so many different levels of friendships, but the deepest and closest ones are the most cherished and enduring. People are continually coming in and out of our lives. Each one touches us and we are forever changed. Through every encounter, whether brief or lengthy, good or bad, we grow just a bit more and have something new to offer those whose lives we touch.

When I met my best friend several years ago, from the first moment it felt like I had found my long lost sibling. My life has been so much richer through knowing and loving my soul sister. My only sadness is that we live hundreds of miles apart. But when I connect with her, I feel as though we were never separated.

There are others in my life, some new and some old, with whom I have shared an instant connection. They are held near and dear to my heart. These are the friendships worth fighting for. But to use the analogy of a gardener tending to her beautiful flowers, she must water and nurture and regularly care for them. Friendships work the same way. If we allow ourselves to get wrapped up in the busyness of life, neglecting those we care about, we will begin to drift apart and the friendship will wither. It happens ever so slowly in the beginning, but if left unattended, we are carried apart as if caught in a rip current.

If there are people from your past with whom you long to reconnect, have the courage to reach out to them today. Life is brief and there might not be a tomorrow you can afford to wait on. Treat your friends like the precious gifts they are and appreciate the richness each one brings to your life. You would not be who are today if you had not touched each other’s lives yesterday.

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Thank you for reading and be well.

The breakdown before the breakthrough

Lately, I have been feeling like a hamster running full speed on a wheel while getting nowhere. Agitation and frustration were two of the emotions I have been dealing with for the past few weeks. I am working hard to build my business, but in many ways have felt stuck. Having always known deep down that my purpose is to help others, not pinpointing the specific group I am to work with has been difficult. But today I experienced a much needed breakdown in order to achieve a breakthrough.

As I articulated my frustration to the great sounding boards, who are my parents, the mere release of pent up emotional energy through the shedding of some tears was tremendous. I was finally able to embrace the niche my heart has been longing for me to reach, while letting go of who I thought I was supposed to work with based on my background and other factors. Trying to focus my heart and energy in the wrong direction was not bringing me a sense of resonance or peace. I knew something was wrong with moving in that direction, but for some reason it was terribly difficult to let go of it. When that breakthrough came to me this afternoon, a huge weight was lifted from my shoulders.

My internal compass was having trouble finding north, but is now back on track. As I look back over the past few months it seems as though God was whispering directions to me. I am not always good at attending to His soft voice or quieting myself enough to hear it. Many times I prayed for direction and a clear answer. God answered those prayers by laying out the hints before me. He knows that I learn best by putting all the pieces of the puzzle together before I can see the big picture.

Is there an area of your life where you feel stuck and perhaps need to release your grip of control to find peace and freedom? When we feel restless in our spirit it is because there is something important we need to pay attention to. It may be something to walk away from, or something to walk toward. The key is in the letting go and opening of your hands to be lead onto the right path in your life.

If you like what you read, please feel free to click on the Comment link at the end of this message and let me know. I appreciate your feedback! If you would like to receive this blog via email direct to your Inbox simply visit my website at http://www.ALifeOutsideTheBox.com and sign up today.

Thank you for reading and be well.