Celebrate Life!

Sometimes Things Go Wrong

2012-01-26T23:35:00.000-05:00

Have you ever had a day when something went wrong? And no matter how you wished you could fix it, you couldn’t and it ended up costing you…a lot. Well, here’s what happened to me yesterday. I had been noticing this odd noise coming from the front of my vehicle. It seemed that as I drove faster, it got louder. It sounded much like a jet engine. And while I enjoy flying (when I have a window seat), I didn’t enjoy my car sounding like that.

I took it into the shop and when the guy behind the counter asked what the problem was, I really didn’t know what to tell him. “Well, it kinda, sorta sounds like a jet engine taking off.” As I began talking he began writing and, as I stammered through the rest of what I thought it might be, I tried to read, upside-down, what he was writing. I was curious to see if he was describing the problem in my words or if he had already diagnosed it. But, alas, his handwriting was akin to some doctors who write out a prescription and all the while you’re handing it to the pharmacist you’re hoping against hope they had some type of handwriting deciphering course in college. Not having had that course myself, there was no way I could know what this guy had scribbled on that little notepad. But he seemed pretty confident so I kept talking and he kept writing. Finally, he looked up, and asked me how long it had been sounding like that. Again, I was searching for the words. “Well, I just noticed it a few days ago. But I play the radio pretty loud so it could have been going on for quite some time.” It’s true. Music both soothes my soul and motivates me and it’s a big part of my life. I had only noticed the car’s odd noise when it began to be loud enough to interfere with my listening pleasure. He jotted down another note, took my car key with the promise they would call with an estimate once the mechanic had had a chance to check it out. I felt a little lost, leaving my car and walking away. After all we’d been through….I almost found myself saying, “Please, just take care of her; she’s all I’ve got...”

Now it always makes me a little nervous, waiting for that call. And yesterday was no exception. Within an hour the mechanic called. I missed it but got the voicemail. Of course, he didn’t leave the estimate on the voicemail, only a message to give him a call. I wondered, “Surely he would have left a message if it had been something simple….and inexpensive. What does this mean? A major repair? Thousands of dollars? Is the car beyond help?”

My mind raced as I hesitantly pressed the digits and heard the phone begin to ring. It was like calling my own doctor to find out test results, and hoping for the best, but preparing myself for the not-so-good news.

In the end, it had been a problem that I couldn’t fix. But the mechanic could. Only it would cost me. $500. But for that I would get my car back and she would be better than before. She would have a new wheel bearing assembly and new brakes to boot. And, wow, she sounded so much better, so much quieter.

When I picked up the car that evening, I didn’t turn the music up quite as loud. Instead, I turned it off and just listened a few minutes to her purr. It was like music to my ears. Then the thought of the $500 came to mind. And all the ‘stuff’ I could have bought with that $500. $500?! Why, that’s like….paying a ransom! (Sort of.)

I cranked up the radio. After all, I needed to soothe my soul, and the music did just that. I remembered to not dwell on the problem or what it cost to fix it. I remembered to be thankful it was fixed and me and my car were back in business. I reached down and turned up the music a little louder as Kool & the Gang and I began to sing, “Celebrate good times, c’mon…!” And in that moment, only that moment mattered. Me and my little car, we’re gonna celebrate and have a good time.

Joy. It’s a choice.

Celebrate life,
Jean

From a Galaxy Far, Far Away...

2011-12-31T14:02:00.005-05:00

As you begin this new year, let's take a moment to look back, way back, to a time when you had dreams and goals and excitement about reaching them. It may seem far away in the past. It may seem like they've been left in a galaxy far, far away...unreachable.

Today, I encourage you to dust off those dreams. A new year is a brand new opportunity to begin again. It's a great time to leave the past disappointments, the past broken promises, the past failures, all those broken New Year's resolutions right where they belong. In the past.

Some of us begin each new year with a list of resolutions. One of my long-time favorites is: I will lose weight this year! As you can imagine, before the first 30 days are up, I've reverted back to my old habits. So, this year, I decided to trick myself, to not wait until January 1st to make that resolution, but to begin working toward it in November, the day after Thanksgiving. That's right. Black Friday. There could be no better name for the day I began working out than that.

It all started when I learned how to use the Wii. The Wii Fit Plus to be exact. The cool thing was, I decided to trick myself into thinking this was 'just for fun.' I knew if I could keep myself thinking it was fun, I was more apt to use it and thus to get in shape and, even possibly, lose a little weight.

If you've ever used a Wii Fit, you know that, once you've created your Mii character, you then step up on the board and it weighs you. And it did. There was no lying to the thing. Immediately, my little Mii became a slightly bigger Mii. (Okay, I was being kind. It was more than 'slightly.' Oh, so much more!) And that was motivation enough. Now I'm on a mission to make my Mii thinner. And the only way to do that is to make this 'me' thinner. So, for me, this is what 2012 holds.

Of course, there are other goals I've resolved to accomplish. I want to grow personally and professionally and help others do the same. I want to move past my big 'buts' (those things that are holding me back). And, the cool thing is, I know I can.

What's even better is, I know YOU can. Whether you make a New Year's resolution or not, I encourage you to use this new beginning to begin anew. To dust off those dreams, those goals. To reach into that galaxy far, far away and resolve to live your best life, right now

I wish you a very happy, very successful new beginning. Today is yours. Make it so.

Jean

Can I Have a Do-Over?

2011-12-22T07:48:00.002-05:00

Have you ever done something, something really, well, let’s just say it: something really stupid. And you wished so much that you could have a do-over? That happened to me just this morning. Well, really, last night. Let me explain.

It all started a few days ago when the strap of my purse broke. I had just received it last month for my birthday from mom. It really wasn’t the purse’s fault. I have a tendency to overstuff my purses until they cry for mercy. Apparently, I didn’t hear the cries of this one until it was too late. (If you’ve seen my You Tube clip, you know I’m not the most organized person when it comes to what I keep in my purse!)

So, having no purse, I decided the next best thing (at least until my next purse-shopping trip) would be to put all my necessities in my pockets. As you can imagine, I really had a hard time making the choice of what to take with me: house keys, car keys, driver’s license, debit card, lipstick, ink pen….you get the picture. By now, my pockets were full. In fact, bulging. From time to time, when I’d sit down, things would fall out and I’d have to recover them and stuff them back in.

Last night, it was time to do the laundry. It was way overdue so the washer was pretty full. (Not to worry; I don’t stuff the washer like I stuff my purse!) It had my best dress pants and blouses in there and a little something that I didn’t discover until the next morning when I took a few things out of the dryer. A little something I’d left in my pocket: a tube of lipstick. Red lipstick.

Only now, the tube was empty.

At that moment of discovery, oh how I wanted a do-over!

I gingerly pulled out each item, separating them into piles of clothes that were okay and clothes that had red lipstick marks on them. Fortunately, only about a third of the clothes were marked.
Sometimes we do things, unintentionally, that have disastrous, or at best unsatisfactory, results. Sometimes we wish we could have a do-over. Sometimes it’s a lot worse than having to replace part of your wardrobe. Maybe you took a career path that didn’t satisfy, voiced an opinion that hurt someone, lost a treasured memento. The key is to move forward. While a do-over would be great, it’s not going to happen. My mother used to say, “Don’t cry over spilled milk.” She encouraged me not to stay in that moment, the one where I messed up, but to move forward and be proactive. Once something has happened, all we can do is move forward, clean up the mess, apologize to the one we hurt or remember to check our pockets before putting clothes in the wash!

So, today, as I write this, I have some of my favorite clothes, lipstick-stained, soaking in the washer. And while I’m hoping that will remedy the situation, I’m prepared to hit up the local thrift store if it doesn’t. (I love thrift store shopping, but that’s a whole ‘nuther story!)

Or, as a friend suggested for a solution, maybe I’ll just Google it!

Rock on,
Jean
www.jeanbaileyrobor.com

Black Friday Sale: Buy One, Get One (limited time)

2011-11-24T21:33:00.005-05:00

Tony Robbins, motivational coach, says “The secret to living is giving.” In the spirit of the Thanksgiving holiday (and Black Friday shopping), I am offering, just for 11/24-11/25/2011, a ‘Buy One, Get One Free’ of my latest book, SHE HAS A BIG ‘BUT’! GET PAST YOUR EXCUSES & REALIZE YOUR DREAMS. The idea is to give you the opportunity to put the secret into practice. Buy a book for yourself and you’ll automatically get another to pass along to a friend.

According to Tony, 34 years ago, all he had was a vision of wanting to make a measurable difference in the lives of others. Now, looking back, we can see how well he realized his vision as he has helped and continues to help motivate thousands as they go from mediocre to magnificent. (Read more about Tony on his website)

There’s no better time than today to partner with me to bring hope and inspiration into someone’s life. In giving someone a copy of SHE HAS A BIG ‘BUT’! you’ll share 15 stories of women who overcame challenges, their big ‘buts,’ and found success and joy in life. From the woman who faced a breast cancer diagnosis to the woman who defied medical science to save her son’s life. Plus, there are 4 bonus sections which help you find your:
1) Joy
2) Inner Peace
3) Life
4) Dream

This is your chance to make a measureable difference in someone’s life today! (And in your own!)

Email me with B1G1 in the subject line for details! jean@jeanbaileyrobor.com
Offer ends 11/25/2011 at midnight, EST.

Celebrate life! The secret to living is giving!
Jean

Join The Big 'But' Give

2011-11-16T23:25:00.004-05:00

Be a part of THE BIG ‘BUT’GIVE!

In an effort to reach every woman who has ever had a challenge, an obstacle, a big ‘but’ standing in the way of her dreams, Jean Bailey Robor introduces THE BIG ‘BUT’ GIVE. During November 17, 2011-December 25, 2011, she will promote the idea of sharing the book, SHE HAS A BIG ‘BUT’! GET PAST YOUR EXCUSES & REALIZE YOUR DREAMS with a friend, acquaintance, colleague (or even a stranger) to pay it forward, to encourage at least one other person to live a joy-filled and successful life and to know that there is a way.

Here’s how it works:

If you’ve purchased the book on Kindle you can do it for FREE! SHE HAS A BIG ‘BUT’! is available to loan, one time, for a 14-day period. To loan, all you need is the email address of the person you’re loaning to; log into your Amazon.com account, click on “Manage Your Kindle” under Digital Management. When your Kindle library is displayed, under the “Actions” drop-down, click on “Loan this title” and fill in the fields. During the loan time, you’ll be unable to access it on your Kindle but it will be available to you again after the loan period has expired. (By the way, this works for other Kindle books, too, provided the publisher allows them to be loaned out.)

If you have not purchased the book on Kindle, visit Amazon.com to purchase then follow the steps above.

Not a Kindle user? You can still be a part of THE BIG ‘BUT’ GIVE. Simply pass along (or loan) your paperback copy of SHE HAS A BIG ‘BUT’! GET PAST YOUR EXCUSES & REALIZE YOUR DREAMS by Jean Bailey Robor. You CAN make a difference! Haven’t purchased your copy yet? Click here.

Now, that’s not all…..
Once you’ve participated, be sure to post that you are a part of THE BIG ‘BUT’ GIVE on the SHE HAS A BIG ‘BUT’ Facebook page. Together, let’s change the world, one page at a time.

If your business, church or civic organization is interested in participating on a larger scale, contact the author for quantity discounts on the paperback SHE HAS A BIG ‘BUT’! GET PAST YOUR EXCUSES & REALIZE YOUR DREAMS and/or to bring the author to your town. Contact Jean at jean@jeanbaileyrobor.com. And be sure to visit www.SheHasABigBut.com.

(This is the first year for this and I hope to make it an annual event that begins each year on my birthday, 11-17, and ends on Christmas day. Thanks for your help in making it happen! -Jean)

Chick-fil-A and Other Good Things about Today

2011-10-18T19:08:00.003-04:00

Snowed under. No, there’s no snow outside, but inside…you know what I mean. A to-do list a mile long with no end in sight. That’s how today started. Not really a bad thing, but definitely busy. So busy that, when lunchtime rolled around, I knew I needed to escape for a bit. Get in some me-time so I could be better when I did get back to that to-do list.

Fortunately, just around the corner is a nice little restaurant that’s perfect for lunch. It’s called Ariel’s Diner and offers different specials several days a week. Today’s was baked spaghetti. Yum! I couldn’t resist. I’d brought a book with me which made it even sweeter, especially since I seem to be having difficulty in finding time to read these days. (I’m a bit of a nerdy girl.)

The book I’d chosen is by Martin Brossman and Anora McGaha. Martin had taught a class I’d attended recently so I was eager to see what he had to say on the subject of Social Media for Business (which, by the way, is the book’s title). And I discovered something really cool. Tweetbeep.com. If you haven’t discovered it yet, be sure to check it out, especially if you’re a business owner. According to the site, it's like Google Alerts for Twitter. And there’s lots more cool stuff where that came from: in the book.

Those are some of the good things that happened to me today.

And there’s more…(haven’t gotten to the Chick-fil-A part yet)!

The afternoon went well as I made some headway through my list. I don’t know about you, but I like to check off tasks as I go. It gives me a feeling of accomplishment. So, on my whiteboard, I list (or add to the list) each morning and watch it dwindle as I mark through each item (or most items) before the end of the day. Of course, after a few hours, I realized I’d been sitting at the computer way too long. I decided to take a short walk around the downtown Burlington area. You’d be surprised how rejuvenated it can make you feel just to walk around a few blocks. Makes it even better when you see people you know (or even those you don’t know) and share a word, a smile, a comment about the beautiful weather.

Just as I rounded a corner, a vehicle with two young men swings over to the curb and one of them says, “Hey, would you like a Chick-fil-a cow?” The other one is grinning and holding, you got it, a small toy Chick-fil-a cow out the window. My response, “Sure, I love Chick-fil-a!” Which is so true. They hand it to me and I can see they have more. They pull off and head on down the road. So now as I write this blog, the little cow sitting on my desk reminds me to Eat Mor Chikin’.
But as I continued my walk before coming back inside, I wondered at all the good things I’ve let slip by me. Today, for some reason, I chose to notice all those little things that make up a day, that brighten up my days. And I’m convinced more than ever that it’s those little things that make the biggest difference. A kind word, a smile, a nice meal in a pleasant atmosphere, an unexpected gift, and all those to-do’s that are checked off at the end of the day.

Were there some bad things today? Oh, a few. But when I weigh the pros and cons, the good things outweigh the bad by a mile. So that’s what I choose to focus on: Chik-fil-A and all the good things about today.

By the way, I have inside information that Ariel’s special on Wednesday is chicken pie and then, there’s always chicken at Chick-fil-A. The little cow has convinced me; let’s Eat Mor Chikin’!

Jean

Check out Ariel's Diner on Facebook!
Check out Chick-fil-A on Facebook!

Butterfly Kisses: A Father's Day Tribute

2011-06-19T17:21:00.002-04:00

On this Father’s Day, in my rush to get ready for church, I heard a song on our local radio station, WBAG. This song, Butterfly Kisses by Bob Carlisle, always moves me to tears. And when I say always, I mean always; it gets me every time.

My dad never gave me butterfly kisses—I don’t think he knew what they were—but he certainly gave me moments of joy. And even though he was a man of few words, and I didn’t hear “I love you” very often, it was evident that he did love me and all his children. To paraphrase the song, “I couldn’t ask God for more. This really is what love is.”

When I think of my dad, it’s hard not to think of our Heavenly Father. Whether your dad was the best or not, it’s comforting to know that our Heavenly Father loves us and will never let us down. Today as we celebrate Father’s day, let’s make sure dad’s appreciated but also be sure to celebrate our Heavenly Father, our Creator. It’s just another opportunity to worship and adore Him.

This year daddy would have been 100 years old. As Bob Carlisle croons, “There’s two things I know for sure…” I know two things are true about dad: he was sent here from heaven and I’ll always be daddy’s little girl. Maybe when I get to heaven, we’ll catch up on those butterfly kisses.

Happy Father's Day,
Jean

To see Bob Carlisle’s Butterfly Kisses, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwlAdEnT-do

Memorial Day: More Than a 3-day Weekend

2011-05-29T16:39:00.003-04:00

Today, the day before Memorial Day, I visited a church where the pastor took time to recognize veterans in the congregation as well as those who had served in the United States military, giving the ultimate sacrifice. As each name was given, I had a moment to reflect on what that means, the ultimate sacrifice, giving their lives for our freedom. Each name was not just a name but a representation of a person who cared enough to make a difference.

As we celebrate Memorial Day here in the United States, we have another opportunity to remember those who serve and have served our country well. In World War II alone, over 60 million people, civilian and military, were killed. And in that war, there was a man by the name of Arvil who served in the US Army in the 82nd Airborne Division. Arvil saw action from Africa, Sicily, Italy and Holland. He was a PFC and a paratrooper. In his combat jumps, he and his fellow paratroopers would jump from an altitude of 600 feet. Pretty low for a jump. But with good reason. This allowed less time for the enemy to shoot at them before they landed. After one particular combat jump, Arvil noticed bullet holes in his canteen and his pack but not a scratch on him. During his military career, he saw a lot of combat and he was wounded on several occasions. After a 4-month stint in the hospital, he could have been assigned light duty but Arvil wouldn’t hear of it. He wanted to be back with his own outfit, in combat. To hear Arvil tell it, it was because soldiers develop a deep sense of comradeship and those you fight with, side-by-side, often become closer than a brother. Before all was said and done, Arvil was awarded the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, parachutist Badge, Combat Infantry Badge, WW II Victory Medal, and others.

Closer than a brother. Do you have friends that you feel this way about? Maybe it’s because you’ve weathered some hard times together. Maybe it’s because you’ve shared some good times. Maybe it’s because you’ve shared some time on the front lines. Closer than a brother.

In Proverbs 18:24, the Bible says, “A man that hath friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” Because of these that did stick together closer than a brother, we can celebrate life. We can enjoy the freedoms they fought so hard to give to us.

On this Memorial Day, won’t you take a moment away from the picnic, the cookout, the time on the beach to reflect on what Memorial Day means for you?

When I think of those that cared enough to make a difference, it’s humbling. And it gives me an even greater reason to celebrate life. They died to make a difference. Let us live in such a way to make sure they didn’t die in vain.

As we enjoy this 3-day weekend with friends and family, let’s celebrate life! Let’s enjoy it! But let’s also remember the reason we have the freedom to celebrate and enjoy and follow our dreams.

But, for now, I invite you to take the next few moments to reflect and remember those, like Arvil, who served and why they served. And to thank God for men and women, from today and yesterday, who gave all. For us. Always remember; never forget.

(For a beautiful rendition of Taps, click here).

Jean

It's the End of the World as We Know It

2011-05-21T11:14:00.003-04:00

This week, I was on vacation at the beautiful North Carolina shore. When I’m on vacation, I take a break from everything. It’s the best way to rejuvenate my spirit and ensure that I’m more productive when I return to the real world. So, in the few moments I did turn on the television, I stayed away from the news channels. Mostly. Until my last vacation day when, while channel surfing, something caught my attention. It was (drum roll, please) the end (dramatic pause) of the world.

As I took my last walk along the coast, which in theory could be my ‘last’ walk if Harold Camping’s prediction is right, I pondered what I had heard. Apparently, as with any doomsday prediction there were people who whole-heartedly believed it and people who found it to be a good excuse to go out and party. Then there are those of us who find it interesting, not really believable, but an opportunity to reflect on questions such as, “If this were my last day on Earth, how would I spend it so I would leave with no regrets?”

Feeling the sand between my toes and the sun on my face, I had to admit that I would have no regrets in leaving. I know, without a doubt, that those I love (my family and friends) know that I love them. I harbor no ill will toward anyone in my heart. And when it comes down to the end, the fact that I never owned a Lexus or a Versace won’t really matter all that much.

I realized what really matters is my relationship with God’s wonderful creations- people. It’s true that, when it comes to material things, you can’t take it with you. But the way we treat others, that’s what we’ll leave behind as our legacy. For good or for bad. So, I had to ask myself: Am I leaving behind a legacy of kindness and forgiveness? Are you? And if not, what can you do about it?

Realize that it’s not too late to make a change. Maybe, like me, you don’t really believe the world will end on 5/21/2011 at 6pm. But, if it did, wouldn’t it be great to make your exit performing an act of kindness for someone else rather than drowning your sorrows and regrets in a bottle? And, if it isn’t the end, how much better will it be to wake up the next day with a joyful heart rather than a painful hang-over?

Is this the end of the world as we know it? I hope so. Let tomorrow be a better day, a day where kindness and forgiveness abound. It doesn’t take a disastrous prediction to make that happen. All it takes is you to either make a change or affect a change in someone else. You CAN make a difference!

Now, just in case you’re wondering why I don’t buy in to these types of apocalyptic predictions, it’s because the Bible clearly states that no one, not even the angels or Jesus Christ himself, knows the hour when Christ will return. Only God knows. (Refer to Matthew 24:36 and Mark 13:32). For me, it’s that simple.

Of course, I may just wait a few days to cut the lawn. After all, no use wasting my time. So, as I hum that tune, “It’s the End of the World as We Know It,” I feel fine.

Jean

Limiting Yourself?

2011-04-02T21:47:00.003-04:00

"I'll never lose weight."
"I'm sure I won't win."
"I can't."
"I'm too ___ to succeed."

Have you ever been guilty of limiting yourself? Of thinking negative thoughts, speaking negative words that hold you back from your full potential? If so, it's time to put them aside and get on with it!

Realize how much better life can be when, instead of tearing yourself down, you build yourself up. There is enough negativity in the world coming at you every day. Don't wait for others to build you up; do it yourself. Realize YOU are a child of God, made in His image, and in order to go about His business effectively, you need a good self image, confidence and belief in God and His creation: You!

Limiting beliefs can hold you back from your dreams, can lessen your influence with others and can lead to a mediocre life that had the potential of greatness.

Today's challenge: Whenever you begin to belittle yourself, take a moment to replace those thoughts/words with something positive. After awhile, you'll find that your negative thinking is gradually being replaced. You'll feel better about yourself. You'll be a better friend, a better spouse, a better parent, a better business person.

But, don't take MY word for it. In the words of Nike: Just Do It!

Positively yours,
Jean

Making the New Year's Resolutions Work

2010-12-27T14:40:00.007-05:00

According to usa.gov, these are some New Year’s resolutions that are popular year after year:

Drink Less Alcohol
Get a Better Education
Get a Better Job
Get Fit
Lose Weight
Manage Debt
Manage Stress
Quit Smoking Now
Save Money
Take a Trip
Volunteer to Help Others

When thinking about your New Year’s resolutions from past years, do any of these sound familiar? They certainly do to me! Topping my list, almost every year, has been losing weight. Each year I begin with high hopes and by the end of that year, I’m sadly disappointed, wondering where all that January 1st willpower went. Have you ever felt that way? Good, then I’m not the only one! Seriously, I think we’ve all felt that way, those of us who have made resolutions and haven’t kept them.

It’s so easy to resolve to be become better and often difficult to follow through. This year, I’ve assessed my own situation. And I believe I’ve found a solution. Now, time will tell. When 2011 comes to a close, I’ll know for sure if this works. In the meantime, I’ll share with you my thoughts on why my New Year’s resolutions haven’t always worked and what I’m doing differently this year to make them a reality.

Let’s take the weight loss thing. It’s a pretty popular resolution, probably because over 66% of Americans are overweight. We’re all in this together, whether you have 5lbs or 50 you’d like to drop. Let’s just say, I’m somewhere in between (and I wish it was only the 5)!

In years past, I’ve listed my #1 resolution as losing weight, generally followed by how much weight I’ve wanted to lose. Period. The problem is, I never put down anything specific. I never created a game plan. Sure, I had an idea of what I’d do. A few years ago, I quit drinking sodas, cut out a lot of sugar that way, especially since I’d been a Mt. Dew junkie. Had one every morning, every afternoon and sometimes more in the evenings. It wasn’t easy to give up, but I did it. The thing is, it didn’t help me lose weight. I knew it had helped others lose weight. So why didn’t it help me? Because I overcompensated…with sweet tea. Yeah, I’m from the South and we love our Southern Sweet Tea. It’s practically a delicacy. So while I gave up one sugary drink, I replaced it with another. No game plan. No success.

This year, I’m putting weight loss on my list again, along with the amount I want to lose. But I’m not stopping there. I’m going to list several specific ways I plan to lose the weight and get fit and not replace one bad thing with another. Now, your specifics may be different from mine, but this is what my game plan looks like:
· Work out 3 times a week
· Eat smaller portions (box up ½ of each meal when I eat out, share it with a friend or order less- no super-sizing)
· Take the stairs (stop using the elevator, not just some days but every day)

In the next few days, I’m going to go a step further, to really get specific. For instance, I’m going to mark the days on my calendar when I’ll be working out; schedule them just as if they were appointments with important clients.

I truly believe that being more specific will help me in keeping my New Year’s resolutions. And it doesn’t have to be about weight loss. It can be about anything that you want to change in your life this year. Make 2011 your year to make a difference in YOUR life. When you become a better YOU, you become a better (fill in the blank) for them, your clients, your family, the recipients of your volunteer work, your employer.

Another thing I’m changing is this. I’m not making a list of 10 resolutions. I know myself and that’s way too many to keep! Instead, I’m making my list easier to control. I’m cutting it down to 3. So, in addition to being more specific, I’m intending for success by making my resolutions more manageable.

My #2 resolution is to finish a book I’ve begun writing. Now, last year I had every intention of completing it by the end of 2010. That’s not happening. Why? Probably because I let little things get in the way of my writing time. Now, could I have finished it? Sure. It was definitely do-able. But I didn’t have specific times blocked off on my calendar; I didn’t set small goals in order to reach completion. Now, I’ve set dates when each chapter should be completed rather than when the entire book should be complete. And if you’d like to keep up with my progress, visit http://www.shehasabigbut.com/. Yes, an odd name, for sure. But once you read on the site what the book is all about, you’ll see it fits pretty well.

My third resolution is to work on my speaking skills. As a speaker, I realize how important it is to not only get lots of stage time but to continue learning from others and putting what I learn into practice. The last thing I want to do is bore my audience! (And that’s the last thing they want me to do, too)! I’ve blocked off time on my calendar to learn from others and to participate in my local Toastmasters group; the only way I can be better is to have good feedback and the best way to get it is from Toastmasters who have learned the art of giving valuable evaluations.

Now, if you’ve been like me, a little disappointed at the end of the year when you realize you haven’t kept your resolutions, I encourage you to do two things:

1) Be specific; give ways you can reach your goals and make those ways do-able. (You noticed I’m not giving up my sweet tea. Sure, I could put that on the list, but giving it up completely is not going to happen).

2) Keep your resolution list manageable; pick only a few things to work on.

If you and I do this, I truly believe, when we come down to the end of 2011, we won’t have to wonder where all that January 1st willpower went. Instead, we’ll have reason to celebrate because you and I will have kept the resolutions we set, every single one.

Wishing you the best in your 2011 success,
Jean

http://www.jeanbaileyrobor.com/

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-24T15:40:00.007-05:00

As you go through this holiday season, take time to enjoy those special moments, those moments with family and friends. Take comfort in knowing your gifts of friendship and love are long-lasting and make the greatest impact. I don't remember much about the gifts I've received over the years as much as I appreciated them. But I do remember the happy times, the joys shared with loved ones. And, at Christmastime, that has made all the difference.

While there may be moments when you feel sadness, maybe memories of a loved one no longer with you bring a tear to your eye, know that this Christmas brings great potential for happiness, and you have the power to make that happen. Over the years, I’ve found several ways that help take my loneliness out of Christmas and today, I’ll share 3 of them as my Christmas gift to you.

Feed your soul- Use the time you may have away from work and other activities to feed your soul. So often I find myself neglecting the spiritual part of me. (Not to mention the physical part, but that’s a whole nuther story)! We have so many resources at the ready to provide encouragement, healing, uplifting of our souls. Reading a scripture, singing or listening to soothing music, spending some quiet time in meditation and prayer. These are ways that I’ve found rejuvenate me and feed my soul. Sometimes, and this is really fun, putting on some upbeat Christmas music while I bake Christmas goodies does the trick. Now, does this keep me from feeling sad? Not completely. Often a Christmas song will evoke a precious memory, but there’s joy within the sadness, and the memories are sweet.

Give to others- There is so much joy in giving to others. Whether you provide a monetary gift to the less fortunate or donate food, toys or clothes, you’ll receive a blessing. And, you know, sometimes if the recipient of our gifts aren’t all they appear to be, it makes us feel bad. If that happens, know that you gave for the right reasons and bask in that knowledge. And know that, because you gave, you’ll be blessed. Helping others at Christmas and all year through is really what it’s all about and, when you give, that echoes the gift of God’s son, Jesus, whom we celebrate. He truly is the reason for the season. Celebrate Him by giving to others.

Host your own party- If you find that you’ll be alone on Christmas (and you’d prefer to enjoy the company of others), don’t wait for an invitation, host a party. Several years ago, I began inviting friends, family & neighbors over on Christmas evening for hors d'oeuvres and a time of fellowship. Nothing fancy. Nothing that took a lot of preparation. (Of course, it did force me to clean the house)! Some years there are few that show and it’s a cozy and intimate time. Some years there are many and a more party-like atmosphere. Every year, it’s a time of happiness and joy. Now, it’s become one of my Christmas traditions. And one that I, and others, thoroughly enjoy. All because I didn’t want to feel lonely at Christmas.

So, if you find yourself feeling less than joyful this Christmas season, I hope that what I’ve found to help me will help you as well. After all, Christmas only comes once a year; enjoy the joy of Christmas! Bask in it!

Merry Christmas!

Jean

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Of Celebrating Life

2010-11-19T13:18:00.002-05:00

This week I celebrated another birthday. It was great! Lots of birthday wishes to brighten my day. However, when the day first began, I started to wonder where it would lead. Here’s what happened: I woke up to the sound of the television I’d left on the night before. Nothing unusual there, except there was a commercial on and, in my bleary-eyed state (you know, that place almost between waking and sleeping) I heard how I should invest in plastic surgery to eliminate those dreaded signs of aging. How could I live with those little lines and sagging chin; it was just…inexcusable. Of course, I couldn’t put the world through that, having to look at my unaltered face each and every day.

Oh yes, just what I wanted to think about on this day!

I dragged myself out of bed (I’m not a morning person) and into the bathroom. After a shower and some positive thoughts I felt ready to face the day. Still, that little commercial nagged at me. Eliminate the signs of aging, huh? No, not for me. I looked in the mirror, thinking ‘I can live with this.’ Still, was it a sign?

I began putting on my war paint. Ladies, you know what I’m talking about. The stuff that enhances our natural beauty (or covers up a multitude of flaws). I’ll leave it to your imagination which way that works for me! As I began applying all the stuff, I noticed I was using anti-aging foundation (thank you, L’Oreal), Revitalift Eye Cream and Olay Regenerist ‘spackling’- at least that’s what I call that stuff that fills in all the little lines you notice but probably no one else does. (Especially if you have one of those mirrors that magnifies every little thing! Whoever invented that, I just want to know ‘What were you thinking?’) Did I really need another reminder I was getting older?

Mentally, I waived the thought of growing older and decided, instead, I would focus on life itself, being thankful for every day, finding reasons to celebrate the day. By the time I left home, I had conquered the negative feelings and was beginning to feel pretty good about myself and my life. I had so many things to be thankful for: family, good friends, more good than bad experiences. Life was good!

I hopped in the car, ready to face the day, determined to find and experience joy at every turn. And speaking of turns, just as I turned on the radio, I heard a familiar song: ‘It’s the End of the World As We Know It…’

Really?

Was this a sign?

Then I smiled. This was going to be an interesting day. And it was. And, as the day wound down, I found a voicemail with another song, the traditional ‘Happy Birthday’ sung by my grown kids in unison. Somehow the ones in the mountains had coordinated with the one at the coast so they could all be a part of making my day extra special.

It really doesn’t get much better than this.

And if I had a tear in my eye, I’ll never tell. But I will admit that it warmed my heart and gave me another reason to celebrate not a perfect, wrinkle-free life, but a life worth living.

And there it was…

2010-11-09T16:53:00.001-05:00

Christmas in all its glory, in November. No, there wasn’t snow on the ground; it wasn’t even cold enough for that, but that will come, probably well after Christmas, in January, if I’m lucky. But today, as I walked through the downtown area, Christmas was there. It wasn’t too flashy, not much glitz—yet—but the street lamps had been decorated, just today, and that was all it took for my thoughts to turn to all things Christmassy.

I thought back to last year. How thankful I was to have had all my adult children in the house at the same time. I hoped it would work out that way this year as well. It seems harder to arrange now that they live so far away. Even so, whatever time and whenever I see them will be fine…and wonderful!

Walking down the sidewalk with the street lamps adorned with greenery makes me feel like I’ve gone back in time. Sure, they’re electric street lamps but they have that old-time look and feel. The atmosphere, with the cool crisp air, compels me to dream of holly days.

And dreaming of Christmas gives me a reason to celebrate life. Not all Christmases have been happy times, but dwelling on the ones that have, and dreaming of the ones that will, is good for the soul. I can’t help but smile, thinking of all those goodies I’m going to make, how the house will smell, how it will sound with the hum of friends and family sharing together, and the glow of the Christmas tree.

And there it is….another reason to celebrate life, and it all started with the trimming of a street lamp and the advent of the spirit of Christmas in my heart. I hope you’ve found a reason to celebrate life today. If not, look around you, really look, and see if you can find what God has sent your way to realize that life can, and should, be celebrated!

Joyfully yours,
Jean

99 Years Ago Today

2010-06-11T14:49:00.001-04:00

On this day in 1911 a great man was born. When I came to know him, he was a man of few words but great wisdom. He had a sweet smile that lit up my world. His twinkling blue eyes radiated the love he felt for others but didn’t often put into words.

In his younger days Dee drove a Model T. It wasn’t as easy as turning a key (or pushing a button) to start the car. There was a crank on the front and I remember him telling me that you had to hand crank it, and there was a trick to it. It was best to cup the crank in your palm because if you put your thumb under the handle and it ‘kicked back’ it might break your thumb. Once cranked, he’d run to jump in, especially if it was on an incline. How times have changed.

When I think of all the life he experienced, it humbles me. How can I complain when the house is too hot in the summer realizing that the house he grew up in was cooled only by soft summer breezes and some not so cool? And for years he drove a car that had no air conditioning, radio, even windows.

I remember one story that he told about his younger days. He and his brothers, Henry and Kin, were riding down a dirt road in that Model T. They’d found a pig on the side of the road and picked it up. They came to a check point and, worried they’d get trouble with the law, Kin quickly threw one of their suit coats and a hat on the pig. The officer came over to the car and asked each of them their names. The Bailey boys complied and, from the back seat, the pig squealed. As he walked off, dad overheard the officer tell his partner. “I’ve seen some interesting characters in my time but that Oink Bailey is the ugliest son-of-a-gun I’ve ever seen!” I never knew if that was a true story or very much embellished. Guess I never will. But it brought a smile to a lot of people and it gave Dee great pleasure in telling it.

June 11, 1911. I often wonder what that day was like when that baby boy came into the world. That boy that grew up to be a man who cared about others more than himself. Now, I don’t know what he was really like in his younger years, but I do know what he was like later in life. And I do know that he loved and cared for his family.

Thinking back to Dee’s funeral is almost a blur, but there are a few moments that, after these 14 years, still stand out to me. The pastor of his church and a former pastor spoke and spoke well of him. In both cases, they mentioned that they had been—many times over—the recipients of his generosity. He was famous for handing out $20 bills. Not only to them, but to others too as I soon learned. There were plenty of times, as a college kid, that I wouldn’t have had enough gas to get from home back to college if not for his $20. I had to smile. Funny that none of us had known he was giving to the others. That was so like him. Giving without making a big deal of it. Quiet generosity. Speaking with actions rather than words.

I’m thankful that certain parts of Dee live on in me. I’m thankful that while dad may not have left a fortune, he left a legacy, a legacy I’m still trying to live up to. Most of all I’m thankful for 1911.

That was a very good year.

Are You A Creature of Habit?

2010-06-02T22:25:00.001-04:00

Yesterday, I was reminded that we are creatures of habit. What habits have you created? Do they serve you well or do you wish you’d never created them?

A few weeks ago there had been a flurry of roadwork going on in my hometown. (If you’re a Burlington resident, you know exactly what I mean)! Streets were being scraped to make way for new pavement. It was rough driving there for awhile until the new pavement was laid. Wow, what a difference it made, and I came to appreciate something I’d taken for granted all these years: good roadways.

Interestingly, at the intersection of Main and Maple, a traffic flow change had been made. For years, we had been driving up to the intersection with the right lane giving us the option of turning right or going straight; the left lane was for left turns only. Now, according to the signs and painted arrows, the right lane was for right turns only; if you wanted to go straight or turn left, you needed to be in the left lane.

So yesterday, as I stood at the corner waiting to cross, I noticed that 4 out of 6 cars drove straight through the intersection, in the wrong lane. One of them even did this as a car was driving straight through in the correct lane; fortunately, the driver, noticing his error, slowed and let the other go through before he continued down Main Street behind him. I cringed a bit inside, hoping they wouldn’t crash. As I shared this with a friend, she noted, “It’s only a matter of time before somebody crashes.”

That’s when I realized that we really are creatures of habit. No doubt these drivers, just like me, had been driving down Main Street for years in the old traffic pattern. Even with a sign several yards before the intersection that warned of the change, many (if not most) drivers were continuing to go the same route they’d been going.

Does that sound familiar? Are you a creature of habit? Have you been doing things, saying things, believing things simply because you’d done it, said it, believed it for years?

I challenge you to ask yourself, do these actions, words and beliefs serve you well? Or do you find yourself on a downward spiral, ready to ‘crash’ at any minute?

Because of a traffic pattern change, and my own tendency to swerve into the wrong lane, I’ve asked myself that same question. What am I doing, out of habit, that I should change? What am I saying that I should stop saying? What am I believing? And do those beliefs have a solid foundation or should they be changed?

Good or bad, we are creatures of habit. Let’s make sure that you—and I—follow our good habits and rid ourselves of the ones that drag us down before we find ourselves ‘crashing.’

Habitually yours,

Jean

Your Perfect Day!

2010-05-25T20:20:00.004-04:00

Have you spent your whole life waiting for your perfect day? Most of the time, I believe, what gets in our way of a perfect day is stress. Stressful situations can steal our joy in a heartbeat!

Today, I'll share with you 3 tips that I recently shared on Celebrate Life! the Internet radio show, to help you realize and experience YOUR perfect day.

I believe the worst gift we can give ourselves is to allow stress into our lives. Why? Because it’s such a negative force. Stress is not only emotional, which is bad enough, it also affects us physically. There’s a reason they’re called stress headaches! And that’s not all. According to WebMD many types of heart diseases such as heart attack and high blood pressure can be brought on by stress. It’s a nasty little culprit that you can’t afford to let into your life. Too much stress can ruin your perfect day before it even gets started.

There are many times when things happen that are less than pleasant or downright traumatic. This is life and, I don’t know about you, but I can’t control all my circumstances. But there is something I can control and that’s how I react to unpleasant situations that come my way. It’s not the circumstances, it’s the reaction that matters most. And for you, it’s your reaction that matters.

In order to de-stress your life and live your perfect day, you have to find something that works for you. These 3 tips are what works for me.

1)Breathe. Yep, it's that simple. When stressed, I find that I take shallow breaths. If I remind myself to breathe and breathe slowly and deeply, it has a calming effect. When you feel anxious, tell yourself: When stressed, take 3 deep breaths.

2)Expose your perfect day. Take a few moments to visualize your perfect day. Expose it to yourself, in your mind. Then, take it a step further: write it down; expose it on paper. Now, take it another step further: speak it out loud at least 5 times.

3)Move toward your perfect day. It's not enough to de-stress by breathing deeply, expose your day with visualization and repetition. You have to put some action to your intentions. Don't wait for your perfect day. Move toward it! Take action to make it happen. Start by controlling your reactions to any situation that comes your way. It's not the circumstances that matter most; it's your reaction to those circumstances that can make or break your perfect day.

As I mentioned before, this is what works for me. What works for you? If these techniques help you realize your perfect day (or even if they don't)feel free to write and let me know.

And if you want more information on how you can live your perfect day, listen to my radio show, Celebrate Life: Live Your Perfect Day!

Celebrate life!
Jean

Invest in You!

2010-04-27T20:31:00.000-04:00

There's no better time than now to invest in you!

Take a moment to assess who you are. Are there areas you'd like to improve? Let me tell you of a time when I chose to invest in me.

Six years ago. My self-confidence and self-esteem were sadly lacking. I had come through a rough time in my life and I knew I needed to do something. But I had no idea what I needed to do. My first step was to read some self-help books. Our local library has books on tape and CD so I was thrilled that I could listen to them during the day while at work.

One day, as I was listening to a book by Cheryl Richardson, she mentioned that she'd gained public speaking skills through a group called Toastmasters. I'd never heard of it, but I was intrigued. That evening I 'googled' Toastmasters and found a club right here in my hometown. And they had a meeting that night.

Six years later, the rest is history.

However, that's not the best part. The best part is that I had no idea what I was getting into. Really. All I knew was that the people in the Burlington club were the kind of people I wanted to hang out with. So I joined. Later I found that joining a Toastmasters club was the best investment I could make in me. I found a freedom as I gained public speaking skills, confidence and my self-esteem grew.

Before long, I began to enjoy interacting with people on a personal level. Then I began looking forward to each time I was scheduled to give a prepared speech. (Believe me, early on, I really dreaded it...and, boy, did it make my stomach ache)!

Now, I feel honored when someone asks me to speak to their group. I think back to where I was and see how far I've come. And I look forward to the future and what it holds. I can't wait to see where this 'road' will take me!

Find a way to invest in yourself today. You never know where it'll take you.

Enjoy the ride.

Jean

Contact me for more information on what Toastmasters can do for you or visit www.toastmasters.org.

A Promise of Hope

2010-04-27T00:32:00.000-04:00

I bought wildflower seeds today for a dollar.

I was in the store, shopping for only a few items, toiletries. Flower seeds were not on my list. However, when I saw them in a box on the shelf, I felt compelled to buy them. To me, they weren't just dry seeds, but a promise of hope.

Several days ago, in my doctor's office, I found that I would need to have surgery in the near future. It wasn't totally unexpected as I'd been having some symptoms and knew something would have to be done. Still, thinking of it, gave me an opportunity to pause, consider the loose ends in my life, and figure out how much time I might have to put things in order since I'll probably be out of commission for awhile.

The next few days I found myself working at a frenzied pace, trying to get ahead both at work and at home, preparing. Today, a small thing, a box of flower seeds, helped me to slow down a bit. I realized that, although I was accomplishing much, I wasn't doing much to prepare my body, soul and spirit for what lay ahead.

Do you have something coming up in your life that you need to prepare for? Are there stressors headed your way? Take time today to plan for taking care of you, inside and out. When we have rest and relaxation and peace of mind, we can face challenges so much better. In the store, when I picked up the box, I noticed the picture showed a myriad of flowers in luminous colors.

I already know in which part of the yard I plan to plant them in a few weeks when the weather turns warm. I visualize their radiance gracing the lawn, their unique scents filling the air as I walk through them marveling at their brilliance.

The walk, good for the body.
The scene, good for the soul.
The serenity, good for the spirit.

What I do know is that the promise the wildflowers bring is a promise of hope.

I bought wildflower seeds today for a dollar.

To me, they were priceless.

Jean

The Best Laid Plans

2010-04-27T00:29:00.000-04:00

What is it they say about the "best laid plans of mice and men"? And just who are 'they' anyway?

This past week I found myself in the North Carolina mountains. Even before Spring fully arrives, the scenery is still beautiful to this city girl's eyes. However, this wasn't a planned trip nor was it a spur-of-the-moment vacation. I found myself there because my son had been admitted to one of the local hospitals. Yes, the "best laid plans of mice and men often go awry."

As I drove the 4+ hours to get there, several cliches came to mind: 'When life gives you lemons, make lemonade', and 'Every cloud has a silver lining'. So, in addition to the concern I felt for my son, I knew he was getting the best of care, therefore, during my stay, I took a few moments to make some lemonade and search for silver linings.

My efforts paid off. Not the first day I arrived, but later in the week as I felt more confident in my son's recovery, I began to notice a nearby wonderful creation, the Blue Ridge. If you've never seen this range of mountains, they're aptly named as they really do give the impression of being various shades of blue against the sky when you view them from a distance. Driving up the Blue Ridge Parkway to get a closer look, I took a few short walks to find some peace among gurgling brooks, daffodils, and a view that would take your breath away. I breathed in the crisp morning air, refreshing both my body and soul. The moments that I took to rejuvenate myself that day were not only a gift to me but a gift to those around me. I could be a better person, a better friend, a better mom when I allowed myself to embrace the peace of nature's offering.

What can you do today to find peace for your soul? You may not need to travel to the mountains or the beach. You may want to simply step out into your own backyard, close your eyes, listen to the singing of the birds, feel the warmth of the sun, breathe in the clean air.

Whatever is happening in your life, now is the time to take a moment for you.

If you look close enough, you just might find that your cloud has a silver lining.

Jean

Rome Wasn't Built in a Day

2010-04-27T00:26:00.000-04:00

This French proverb from the late 1100's admonishes us to be patient. Some things simply take time, such as our journey toward a better life than the one we're living today. Just like the building of the great city of Rome, it may take time, patience and effort to reach our goals.

What are your goals? One of mine—and, yes, there are many—is to be content with who I am. In order to do this, I need to first decide what kind of person I want to be, then assess how far away I am from that person. Next, just like in building a great city, I need to make plans, to take steps toward my goal. For me, that means assessing every area of my life: my physical self and my spiritual being. Then, once I've decided what areas are lacking, making a game plan and going from there.

What about you? How can you make a difference in your life? Do you want to be a better student, teacher, parent, businessperson? Or do you want to be a better 'you'?

I challenge you to make your game plan today.

A building foreman never instructed his builders to work from a plan in his head; he studied an architect's drawing first and then formulated a game plan to make it happen. Whatever you want yourself to be, you can make it happen.

Rome wasn't built in a day. Your goals may not be reached in a day. But with patience and careful planning, you can make a positive difference in your life.

Jean

Hard Times Won't Last Forever!

2010-04-27T00:24:00.000-04:00

What a comfort in realizing the hard times won't last forever!

Whatever you may be experiencing, whatever you may be going through, know that this, too, shall pass.

Several weeks ago I had surgery. It wasn't that difficult for me. After all, the doctor did all the work and I was asleep during the process. The 'hard part' for me was the few weeks afterward, the recuperation.

However, I'm now almost 6 weeks out from surgery, and the pain and discomfort pale in comparison to what I'm experiencing today, this beautiful day.

Today I choose to live in this moment to the fullest: to enjoy the sun as it beams down, warm, upon my face; to savor the taste of the evening meal I'll prepare later; to cherish the attention my little dog, Maxie, gives and the feel of her soft fur as she naps beside me.

Today, I've come to appreciate that the hard times--for me and for you--don't (and won't) last forever.

Carpe diem!
Jean

What a Difference a Day Makes!

2010-04-27T00:20:00.000-04:00

Beautiful. Just beautiful.

Today, March 2, 2009, I woke up to a glorious site: our neighborhood had been blanketed in 5 inches of snow. Living in the piedmont region of North Carolina, I don't have the privilege of enjoying sites like this every day, every month, or even every year. I can't tell you how many times I've felt a measure of disappointment when snow has been predicted and we've gotten only rain instead. Although I knew it was supposed to be this way (I had heard the weather reports and I had even seen the snow falling before going to bed last night), it was magical.

As I walked out into it, breathing in the crisp clean air and laughing as my dog gingerly stepped from the porch into a snowbank, my heart filled with the same joy and wonderment I'd felt as a child. Of course then my joy was two-fold: 1)Yippee, it snowed! 2) Yippee, no school!

My dog, Maxie, is a bit of a mutt. My mother refuses to think of her that way as she feels 'mutt' is a derogatory term; instead she calls her a 'designer dog'. (See a picture of Maxie on my website: www.jeanbaileyrobor.com). Whatever Maxie is, we do know that she has some terrier and Cocker Spaniel in her. But the best part of all is that she's so loveable! My daughter bought Maxie a coat, complete with a hood, with fur around the edges.

When the snow began falling, we realized the dog was more prepared for it than we were. None of us in the house had boots….we had not needed them in years; and I can't remember the last time I'd worn a heavy coat with a hood. Despite that, nothing could keep me from donning my heaviest jacket, strapping on my tennis shoes and walking through that myriad of beautiful glorious snowflakes.

What makes a positive difference in your day? Or rather, what do you allow to make a positive difference in your day? The snow outside gave me an opportunity to be glad or to be sad. I could have commiserated about the cold temperatures, the difficulty in driving, etc. Instead, I chose to be glad, to enjoy it, to admire the crystalline scenery.

As I sit at my desk, preparing for work, I'm grateful for these moments when my world is transformed into a wonderland and my heart is lifted in joy. By living 'in the moment', I've found pleasure and peace in something as simple as a change in the weather. While my joy may no longer be two-fold, I still feel that 'Yippee, it snowed!' excitement each time I look out the window.

Beautiful. Just beautiful.

I think I'll make a snow angel when I get home.

Jean

A Nod, A Smile and Other Warm Fuzzies

2010-04-27T00:18:00.000-04:00

Doesn't it feel good when you lock eyes with someone on the street and they offer you a smile? For no reason at all, they smile, giving you an unearned gift, a gift without strings attached.

Think about that the next time you meet someone's gaze. Just smile. A simple smile from you might evoke a smile from them. Either way, it'll make you feel good because who can feel poorly while smiling? No one.

A slight nod of the head can evoke a warm feeling also. While not as inviting as a smile, a nod is an acknowledgement, a softer greeting, a communication between we humans as we journey through this life.

What are some other things, unexpected things, that make your step a little lighter and your smile a little brighter? How about a hug? No amount of money can buy anything as satisfying as the hug of a close friend. There's something so genuine, so giving when one human being wraps her arms snugly around a close friend and draws her in.

What about the first time you hear the words 'I love you' from that special someone? Such an experience can make the heart speed up.

These are several ways that we can get warm fuzzy feelings from others. Just as important is finding ways to provide warm fuzzies for others and ourselves. Taking care of ourselves enables us to take better care of others.

I have a friend who is very careful with what types of media and news she exposes herself to. She fills her mind with joyful, positive images and in doing so, affects a positive attitude.

What can you do today to enjoy or provoke that positive attitude or warm fuzzy?

Positively,
Jean

Out-of-Nowhere Blessings

2010-04-27T00:15:00.000-04:00

Blessings come in all shapes and sizes and ways. And some of the best blessings are the unexpected ones, the ones that come out of nowhere.

Today I was unexpectedly blessed. I happened to be walking to a local Subway for lunch and passed an older gentleman on the street. His expression indicated he recognized me. I quickly scanned my memory but could not place him. Just as I was about to pass, he asked me if I attended a certain church in the area, which I do. As some churchgoers do, I regularly sit in the same section Sunday after Sunday. He does the same, just a few rows behind me.

On this day, he became a blessing to me. We chatted as we both walked to Subway, through the line, and—although I protested—he picked up the tab. I had planned to take my meal back to the office but somehow I found myself asking if he'd like to lunch with me. His face brightened up and we chose a nearby table.

Throughout the course of lunch, we talked about church, families, and blessings. He indicated how he had lived most of his life on a self-destructive course, but had now changed direction and found peace. He told of how some family relationships had been healed, of how he could now be a blessing to others.

As we went our separate ways, he mentioned how much he had enjoyed our impromptu lunch and that I had been a blessing to him.

Today, this gentleman was an unexpected blessing to me. His act of kindness reminded me, that I too, can be an unexpected, out-of-nowhere blessing to others.

And so can you!

Be blessed!
Jean

Coincidence?

2010-04-27T00:11:00.000-04:00

What are coincidences, really? They are simply the 'stuff' that connects the events of our lives. Many times they are an 'ah-ha!' moment. Other times we think of a coincidence as a twist of fate, a fluke, an accident. I like to think of them as a Divine plan to boost my faith in Something (or Someone) greater than me.

According to Deepak Chopra, when you live your life with an appreciation of coincidences and their meanings, you connect with the underlying field of infinite possibilities. When some circumstance comes into our lives, we should express our gratitude and explore the meaning of it. Then, we should dig deeper and connect with, not what it means, but what it could mean if we allow the possibility of the impossible.

When I choose to be grateful for the coincidences in my life, I find that they are less disruptive. I have a peace about them and about my life's direction. I don't let coincidences lead me, but I allow them to open up another choice, maybe something that I haven't seen or realized was there.

That 'stuff' that connects the events of my life are the same kinds of experiences that happen in yours. The delay to leave home in the morning only to realize if you'd been 'on time' you would have ended up in an auto accident. The 'close call' when you cross the street and saw a car speeding through the crosswalk 'just in time.' That event you choose to attend at the last minute, only to meet a life-long friend there.

I challenge you to express gratitude next time a coincidence comes your way. You may find you're part of a Divine plan, something greater than you could imagine!

Coincidentally yours,
Jean

Live NOW!

2010-04-27T00:08:00.000-04:00

How often do you find yourself just going through the motions day after day only to find that a month has passed, a year has passed, a decade has passed without you really living?

Today I encourage you to live now, live in this moment.

Often it takes a wake-up call to persuade us to live. It may be a financial disaster, a divorce, the death of a loved one. It may be a terminal diagnosis. Sometimes these, and other, circumstances propel us to really live, to pursue our dreams, to realize them.

Why wait? Today is a good day to begin living, really living.

The Bible says, 'This is the day the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." It's easy to really live when you're rejoicing or celebrating.

Celebrate life! See each day as what it is, a gift! Begin the day by breathing in the fresh air, watching the sun rise, listening to birds sing. Savor that first cup or coffee, using that time to reflect, to be thankful, to plan your day. Be purposeful in your thoughts, in your intentions. Dream big and dream often. The glass isn't just half full, it's overflowing!

Each of us only lives once. Let's make this day, now, the best day it can be.

Really live it.

Live NOW!

Living life,
Jean

Let's Go Outside!

2010-04-27T00:04:00.000-04:00

Remember how exciting it was when you were a youngster and someone would say, "Let's go outside!" It was a real treat.

Playing outside was so much more fun than being inside the house all day. Imaginations ran wild as stick horses turned into stallions, bicycles became motorcycles, and porches were miraculously transformed into army headquarters.

Outside! It was a beautiful thing.

Today the challenge is to go outside. Leave the computer, the television, the X-box, the Wii behind. Make a concerted effort to breathe in deeply the crisp clean air; feel it as it wafts across your skin; drink in the beauty of the world around you; close your eyes and listen, really listen to the sounds of nature. Those few moments, away from everything electronic (yes, leave that cell phone inside) will rejuvenate you and give you a sense of freedom from the stresses of life.

Your outside time should be pleasurable so no work allowed! Not unless, of course, you're raking up those leaves to take a flying leap into them!

Remember the joys of being outside. Relive those joys again.

Let's go outside!

Playfully yours,
Jean

Tell Them--You'll Make a Difference!

2010-04-27T00:00:00.000-04:00

Is there someone in your life whom you admire? Perhaps a relative, a friend or a colleague?

Many times we go through life, noticing the good qualities of others yet failing to tell them. They may not realize that their kind word or gesture made a difference in our life or the lives of others. It's time to tell them! Giving praise where it's due is a good thing. It's a gift you can freely give. It won't cost you a dime but it offers a great return on the short amount of time you've invested. You'll be blessed!

Sometimes it seems that negative criticism comes easier than praise. Even so, that's no excuse to keep our positive thoughts to ourselves. Let the good things in your heart flow; let your words lift up someone else. What you say may be the only positive comment they hear today. Wow, that's pretty powerful!

Recently, a friend of mine did something for someone else that I felt was pretty awesome. It was an act of giving without expecting anything in return. It touched my heart in knowing this as I'm sure it touched the heart of the recipient of his gift. I sent a simple email, praising his generosity.

Take a moment. Can you think of someone who has touched your life or the life of someone else? Today is a good day to let them know. Not only will you be a blessing to them, but you'll find it makes you feel pretty good as well.

And it won't cost you a dime.

Is there something you admire about someone in your life? Tell them!

Admiringly yours,
Jean

Never Too Old to Learn

2010-04-26T23:56:00.000-04:00

It amazes me how easy technology comes to the youngest of us. For instance, in the United States, there is a television commercial that features a four-year-old girl who is expertly using a computer program to make a picture of her fish Dorkie 'better' and email it to her family. Plus, I know of teenagers who send text messages from phones in their pockets, without ever looking at the keyboard. Then there are the wiz kids who spend hours writing computer programs. Today, my challenge is to put this blog on some RSS directories in order to create more exposure.

Simple? Let's just say, maybe I should have called the wiz kids to help! Still, I did have a couple of responses on my Facebook page when I posed the question about RSS feeds. (Thanks, guys)!

I decided to try my hand at it...with just one directory to start with. Hope I get this right. Time will tell.

Have you ever tried something for the first time and wondered, how in the world the younger generation found it so much easier? Still, I think as we grow older (and wiser!) we should never pass by those opportunites to learn, to grow, to expand our knowledge and skills.

What can you try today that you've never tried before? It may be something technical or not. What about learning to grow a better garden? Or learning how to knit a scarf? What about learning how to use MS Access? Or how to hang glide?

Many times we find that trying new things is exhiliarating. At the least, we'll definitely have a sense of accomplishment. I challenge you, today, to try something new, to spread your wings. After all, you're never too old to learn.

Jean

Blessings in Disguise

2010-04-26T23:54:00.000-04:00

I remember as I was growing up my mom used to use the phrase, 'blessing in disguise'. She was referring to those circumstances that we often find ourselves in that, at first, feel like a negative situation, but end up as a positive. Have you ever had a blessing in disguise?

Just this week, I had my very first ear infection. Let me just say, for those of you who have never experienced this, it certainly didn't feel like a blessing. However, it prompted me to slow down, take care of myself a bit, and pull away from the rat race for a short time. A blessing of self-care in disguise.

Another instance happened a few years ago. My son could no longer afford the private university he was attending unless he became very deep in debt. He weighed his options and began looking for alternatives. He wisely chose to enroll in a state-sponsored school. Two years later, at college, he met the woman he'll marry next year, with a lot less college load debt than he would have had. Their love for each other proves to me that this was another blessing in disguise.

This prompts me to question those (seemingly) bad things that come into my life. If I'm late going out the door and, on my way, see that there's been an accident on the highway, I often wonder…if I had been on time, would I have been involved in that accident? I've had instances where I did not get a position I applied for and years later the company has closed its doors. For me, that may have been a blessing in disguise.

As life goes on, I intend for positive circumstances. I embrace changes and look closely for the good that can come from those less-than-perfect circumstances I do find myself in. How do you see your circumstances? Could they simply be blessings in disguise?

Many blessings,
Jean

A Little Me-Time is a Good Thing!

2010-04-26T23:42:00.000-04:00

How often do you find yourself doing so much for others that you seldom have time for yourself? Life often demands that we're stretched beyond our limits; however, if we schedule in a little me-time, we do ourselves and those around us a big favor. After all, who enjoys being stressed out or being around stressed out people?

Lately, I've been stretched to the limit. Life has demanded a lot of time and energy, meeting deadlines and dealing with a family member's illness. Today, I realized that I needed a little me-time to rejuvenate. If you're a busy person, you're probably due for a little me-time yourself.

What is 'me-time'? It can be a variety of things. Maybe it's taking time to walk through the park, alone or with a good friend. Maybe it's sitting in a local restaurant (as I'm doing right now), writing, putting your thoughts down. Maybe it's being alone in the house, playing piano. Maybe it's taking time for a nice massage, mani or pedi. Or, your preferred me-time could be taking the time to read a favorite book.

Just now, why not jot down a few ideas of what your me-time of choice might be? (Go ahead; I'll wait).

Now, pick one and, if necessary, put it on your calendar for next week. Treat that appointment as if it were as important as any other activity you've scheduled. And, most importantly, follow through.

A word of advice: Don't let anyone, even your own little voice, accuse you of being selfish. This is your time to revive, to rejuvenate, to better yourself so that you may serve others (and yourself) more productively.

A little me-time….it's a good thing.

Refreshingly yours,
Jean

Hidden Blessings

2008-10-20T18:58:00.001-04:00

Sometimes the hard times come to you. Life throws you a curve ball. You feel like curling up in a ball, shutting out the world, crawling under a rock.

Sometimes the hard times come to you. Life throws you a curve ball. Instead of succumbing to self pity, you choose to take it, to experience it, to make it real, to learn from it, to move on.

We have a choice in how we deal with the tough times, the hard things, the disappointments. We've all had times like that. Life is full of disappointments. However, life is also full of joyful moments, many of which we have to intentionally allow into our lives.

Have you ever had a little thing, a very little thing, tick you off so much you felt the anger rise within you? Those little things that get under our skin can set the tone for the whole day. They can cause us to snap at our children, our co-workers, our significant others. What if, instead of allowing the anger to rise up, we chose to laugh at those little things, and to laugh at ourselves for allowing them to get under our skin? What if we chose to find humor in those situations instead? If so, we might find that when the really hard times come around we're better able to deal with them.

The key is to change little by little. Start small. It can make the difference in living a miserable life or in living a life full of joyful moments.

Enter......The JoyStream!

2008-08-31T13:33:00.000-04:00

We can have freedom from stress, anxiety and depression. To free ourselves from these things, we can choose to enter The JoyStream. When we enter The JoyStream, we allow our Authentic Self to reveal itself. We find the hidden talents, the creativeness that we didn't realize we had or maybe had forgotten about.
Are you feeling the weight of the world on your shoulders today? Are you feeling down and downcast? Can you barely face the world and your many responsibilities or critical people?
Think back to a time when you were free to dream. When you had a real vision. Remember how free you felt, how enthusiastic about the future? God created you with that dream, that desire to achieve and succeed. Your circumstances, your environment and other people may have chipped away at your vision, your dream, until there's hardly anything left that resembles it.
If this sounds like you, you owe it to yourself to enter The JoyStream and make your life what it was intended to be.
To learn more, visit this website: www.thejoystream.com.

What is the Law of Attraction?

2007-03-20T20:20:00.000-04:00

Just what is the law of attraction and why has it suddenly become so popular? The law of attraction is a universal concept that states we, whether we are aware of it or not, attract whatever we choose to give our attention to. Now, this may sound like pie-in-the-sky. After all, can it really be as simple as that? Really? Simple, it is. And simple it's not. The concept itself is simple, uncomplicated, easily understandable. However, implementing the concept is a whole different matter.
For example, let's say you read of a rising crime rate within your area. Fear rises up inside you. You put extra bolts on the doors, install a security system, buy a big, ugly dog, and barricade yourself inside your house. Now, what are you doing? You are focusing on your fear. All of your attention is on fear. Additionally, your quality of life has rapidly deteriorated. You've basically caused yourself to be paralyzed with fear. On the other hand, you can take the same situation and turn it into a positive. The crime rate in your area rises. You brainstorm for a bit, determine that you live in this neighborhood and you aren't going to let it fall into the hands of thugs. You talk to your neighbors and jointly band together, get your local law enforcement involved, take positive steps to ensure safety within your neighborhood. Now, do you see how much better, more positive, more fulfilled you would feel in taking positive action rather than becoming a miserable hermit? You have, maybe without realizing it, intended positive results for you and those around you. Intentionally, you've created your own reality.
This goes back to the age-old premise: Ask and ye shall receive; seek and ye shall find; knock and the door will be opened.
Now to answer the second part of our question: Why is this so popular? Look around you. Observe people, just in the way they walk and talk. Few have the confidence and the successful lives they've dreamed about. Many have lost their dreams along the way. They walk with their heads down, their shoulders slumped, with dim eyes. Is this any way to live? These people need hope, and when hope is presented to them in the form of the principles of the law of attraction, some find renewed hope in realizing their dreams. This is why the law of attraction is becoming so popular: people need hope, and many people realize they can find it here.
In my next post, I'll let you in on a few things happening in my own life simply because I've put into place the principles of the law of attraction.
In the meantime, I urge you to read the book, Law of Attraction by Michael Losier. You'll be glad you did.