A Matter of Degrees

Max Anderson and Sam Parker expressed a communication concept that is remarkable. Here it is:

At 211 degrees...water is hot.

At 212 degrees...it boils.

And with boiling water, comes steam.

And steam can power a locomotive.

And, it's that one extra degree that...

Makes all the difference.

Read the complete article here and Share the thing you will pursue with 212 determination and fearlessness! How are Fear, Doubt, Criticism, "Yes, but", and "What if" keeping you from what you really want?

Embrace Your Inner ________!

Truth, as I see it, is we can be whatever we want to be. We have to remove the labels we, and others, put on us. Jock, nerd, artist, right-brained, left-brained. None of those really mean anything because we are whoever we decided to be. And maybe, just maybe, my boy will embrace his inner artist....cool!”

Read the article here.

I have a couple of Inner_______! One is to play the piano. It is on my list of things for 2009. I am going to find a teacher for adults and will keep you posted. The other is laguages. I am good at them. They come pretty easily. I used to speak French and was fluent in American Sign Language but have not picked up my hands for years. I would love to add Italian and Spanish and would like to coach in Spanish and Sign Language.

OK - What's yours?

9 for a FINE '09

Amazingly, we are here again - the beginning of a brand spanking New Year. The world is in turmoil, our financial system is in chaos, and our political system is besieged. And yet, there is a hopeful expectation in the air. Can you feel it? I believe God does His best work in the darkest places. And necessity is the mother of invention. If you were laid off or lost your home, you've got to DO something; something different and something right now! If your business is showing the effects of the economic slowdown, you've got to get creative, resourceful, and motivated to try some new things! If you are feeling restless or discontent NOW is the time to stop, get quiet, and listen to the voice of your heart; to wake up, get up, and move up! You already have EVERYTHING you need to be the person you envision and to create the life you desire. Begin the DISCOVERY process and make 2009 really FINE - even downright SUBLIME

Read the entire article here - all 9 ideas for a GREAT '09. What one thing woudl make this a FINE year for you? Post it here and come back often to see what others are thinking.

GIRLFRIENDS GETAWAY!

Join us February 20-22 for a weekend of GREAT girlfriend time!

Change your perspective and make 2009 your BEST YEAR EVER! Relax, Renew and Reconnect in the company of some amazing girlfriends. Join us in beautiful, quaint Union Pier on the shores of Lake Michigan.This weekend is all about YOU. There will be powerful learning and discovery with a good dose of raucous fun and a sprinkling of quiet down time. Read and register now. DON'T MISS THIS!

THE REST OF THE STORY

More about Aunt Irma's Lesson. I left out a MOST important part of the lesson as it has developed heart and legs over time. I spoke with Lanette this evening. It is true that Hank neither knows nor remembers the flight down or the great birthday party in his honor. He was, in fact, surprised (several times) that all the birthday hoopla was for him. It's about the servant heart and doing the right thing just because it's the right thing. It's about how we treat each other. You see, the past several days have been hugely challenging - even heartbreaking. Difficult decisions need to be made. Hank is blissfully unaware of most of it. But Emma (Lanette's MIL) knows and Lanette knows and the nieghbors know and extended family and friends know. Love, sensitivity, compassion, support, advocating, planning, and standing in the gap for another are being modeled and lived. And that matters. Oh how that matters.

Aunt Irma's Lesson

“Sweetheart, Grandma is trapped inside her own head. She lives there all the time now. Much of what is in there is not pleasant. She had some hard times in her life and did not respond well to her circumstances. Many of her relationships have been damaged and broken and never repaired. We don’t know what is going to happen to us or how we will die. Someday you might have to live inside your head. Make sure you live well. Create a place in your head and heart you would like to spend time in. Remember that you are always making memories. Be happy. Help others. Follow God. Spread love. Do your best.”

Read the entire article (If it is not there yet, check back. My web guy is on vacation but will get it up soon!) Come back and post your greatest life lesson to date. When did you learn it? Who taught you? How has it impacted you? Have you passed it on to anyone else?

It's OK - You Don't Have To

I am wanting clarity, for things to make sense, to KNOW what I am to be doing, and to be SURE I am on the right track. Don’t we all want the answers? Don’t you find yourself working events and situations around and around, over and over? Are you sometimes distrustful that things will occur in the way and time that they are meant to? Or that they will occur EVER?

Read the entire article here. If you are not a subscriber we would love to have you join us. It's FREE so come join the community.

Contemplate these Appreciative Inquiries in your quiet time or in your journal. Don't journal? Not sure how to get going? Look below for the Journaling Workshop and come along!

Think of a highpoint in life - a time when you felt most alive, engaged, inspired, or successful. Who was involved? What made it a highpoint? What was happening? How did you feel?

That should get you started. There will be more Appreciateve Inquiries so keep checking back. Be sure to post your ponderings, writings, experiences.