– Roy Goodman
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Posted in Positive Perspective, quotes that make you go hmmm...
Tagged Alberto Mateo, gratitude, inspiration, inspiring, philosophy, photography, positive, positivity, quote
If you are like me, you go through winter with your head down trudging through 
the bitter short days wishing for the snow to melt, longing to catch your first glimpse of spring growth – snowdrops and crocus pushing through the frozen ground – finally to be awoken one morning by a sound, both familiar and not.
Is it the Cardinal that resides in the cedar hedges year round?
It could be, or is it?
Emerging from your slumber, you hear it again. You know the call but when did you hear it last? You pause for one more reminder.
It calls again.
Your memory clears. Could it be?
You rush to the window to search for the source.
He sings, it seems just for you and you spot him – your first Robin of the season!
Excitement and relief are one as you exhale and welcome the coming of Spring; not by the date on the calendar but by nature’s on-going rhythm.
Spring has arrived once again with its promise of warmer days, longer afternoons, light rains, and spring blossoms.
Announcing its arrival are the migratory birds’ sweet songs. Each distinctive by species but all with the same message:
“It’s Spring! It’s Spring! I’ve arrived to spend the summer with you!”
But there is nothing like the sound of a Robin: The Heralder of Spring.
As spring turns to summer, the Robin’s cheery song weaves its way into your day 
and uplifts your spirit almost un-noticed. From first morning light when they gently draw you from your dreams to dusk when they are settling in for the night, they provide a soothing melody accompanied by the crescendo of rustling leaves on a breeze.
Some birds have squawks that immediately draw your attention, and being awakened by one can set your day off with annoyance. Others, in a panicked scream for aid, call attention to an unwanted visitor to the yard.
But there is something about the Robin that I have always found soothing and special.
Perhaps it is because they are a seasonal inhabitant to my neck-of-the-woods. As one of the first migratory visitors, they signify an end to long cold dark days with the promise of Spring’s inevitable arrival.
Soon the buds will appear on branches, the first shoots will push through the barren soil and life will replace the slumbering landscape.
They are a welcome friend whose absence I don’t realize I have missed until once more I hear its song.
I am both envious and sorrowful for those who experience the Robin as a year-round resident: envious of the daily pleasure of its sweet aria yet sorrowful that without its absence perhaps it is under-appreciated.
The excitement I feel each Spring is innate and childlike. I am anxious to watch for all the ‘firsts’ – the first lady bug, the first bumble bee, the worms that emerge with the rains.
My family each marks a day on the calendar when we guess the first hummingbird will come to our feeder. We anxiously await his arrival and record it boldly when he does.
But it is the spotting of the first Robin, whether by the sight of its destinctive red breast or the recollection of its cheery chirp, that truly signals Spring’s arrival.
Open the window to your world and listen for the sounds that you perhaps take for granted – the wind, the rain, the laughter of young children…
Appreciate the feelings of joy as their songs add to the soundtrack of your life.
Posted in reflections, observations & musings
Tagged grateful, gratitude, happiness, inspiration, inspiring, motivation, philosophy, positive, positivity
I was never involved in organized sports as a child so I haven’t had much 
experience with awards but since beginning this blog almost seven months ago; a soul-sharing leap into the vast expanse of cyber-space wondering if anyone would find it much less read it or like it, I have been honoured with two and now three Reader Appreciation Awards.
I am understandably thrilled, excited, grateful and humbled that my words have 1. been found, 2. been found interesting enough that people have chosen to follow me, and 3. been found worthy of being honoured as a reader’s favourite.
Thank you to LifeBeam for this most recent Super Sweet Blogging Award. LifeBeam’s is a kindred blog; combining her photography with inspirational messages. If you haven’t visited her site yet, it is a definite destination for all things uplifting.
The Super Sweet Blogging Award comes with a few tasty strings attached.
Here are my answers to the Super Sweet questions:
My Baker’s Dozen in no particular order. These bloggers add to the richness of life and I enjoy savouring their posts.
Thank you again to LifeBeam for honouring me with this award. It means more than you can know.
And thank you to those who have chosen to follow me over the past seven months. To me, each click of the ‘follow’ button is a win in my books.
Posted in Awards
Tagged grateful, gratitude, happiness, inspiration, inspiring, philosophy, photography, positive, positivity
I’ve never been much for setting ‘official’ goals. Sure, I’d like to lose 20 pounds, make lots of money and travel to exotic locales but I’ve never put a good solid plan in place to make them a reality.
I sporadically try this or that and can make goals last for a while. I get all hyped-up and talk a good talk but I almost always let things gradually die out; a slow fizzle.
This is why, truthfully, I’ve never been one for making New Year’s Resolutions. Why bother?
Sometimes things I intend to accomplish never even get off the ground.
Why is that?
Does it happen to you too?
I’ve been learning a lot over the past year. I’ve been studying different methods to become successful. I’ve been reading and attending ‘no-fail’ webinars for tips and inspiration. And the one common message is:
You Have To Set Goals.
Ugh!
In order to achieve > the weight loss > the higher income > the dream vacation > you have to do something focussed and concrete to set you on the path to your desire.
You Have To Plan The Steps.
Ugh!
Ok, nothing ventured, nothing gained. So here are the questions I asked myself…
What do you REALLY want?
Why do you really want it?
How will you feel when you get it?
What difference will it make in your life when you achieve it?
Once you have the answer to those questions, then the real work begins.
Here is the ultimate, time-honoured, tested & proven-by-successful-people question to ask yourself now:
What steps do you need to take to get there?
Method #1
One method I learned about is the SMART method.
The SMART format discusses looking at all areas of your life:
Do each of the SMART goals for each area.
Prioritize and Begin
Baby steps can gain ground quickly and allow for multiple celebrations along the way, keeping you inspired. They also allow you to make adjustments to areas that aren’t working as well as you thought they would, leading to further and faster success!
Method #2
Another method that can kick-start achievement is a 30-Day Challenge. For 30 days, challenge yourself to do just one goal. For me it was daily yoga and forgoing bread. (How do you think I fared? Find out here and here)
30-Day Challenges can be a great way to begin a habit, knock something off your bucket list, or cross something off the “I’ll Get To It One Day” list.
Method #3
The Secret, The Law of Attraction, Faith in the Universe, whatever you want to call it, I believe it works.
You project your positive affirmations to the universe and if they are heartfelt and sincere, they will somehow present themselves to you; but that’s not all there is to it.
You can’t stop there!
Just wishing and hoping that something will happen is not enough. You have to take steps toward making it happen.
You can’t just say “I want my dream job” then sit on the couch flicking channels. You have to job hunt, improve your education, network, do what it takes to get there: see Method #1.
And if you are open to the signs, things will begin to present themselves to you in perhaps unexpected ways. You may not get the ultimate dream job right away but could this job be a step toward that dream? How can you make it happen?
Tip: Be specific!
The old adage “Be careful what you wish for” applies heavily with this method.
Another one: “Like Breeds Like” is especially true here so BE POSITIVE! If you say “I want to live in Paris and own a patisserie” but in the back of your mind you are saying “Ya, right. Like that will ever happen!”, well guess what will actually happen?
Have I tried any of these methods?
Yup. I challenged myself to set a New Year’s Resolution: to begin making sincere heartfelt, SMART goals. And I have been working hard to set the wheels in motion.
Does any of this stuff actually work?
You bet your sweet patootie it does!
I’m always amazed at how Method #3 presents itself. (I’ve actually been doing this method for a long time with simple things like “When I get to the store there will be a parking spot right out front” – it sounds silly but you’d be surprised how often that one works!)
For instance, last month I projected that I would get two new writing clients and Tada!; the second one arrived on the afternoon of the last day of the month! But neither of those clients would have appeared if I hadn’t deployed Method #1.
And we’ve all had the experience of thinking of someone and then they call or you run into them the next day.
Sometimes goals or events attained by method #3 are only apparent in hindsight and sometimes they’re standing right in front of you waiting for you to shake their hand.
As for Method #2: it’s the beginning of a new month; the perfect time to begin a 30-Day Challenge. For me, another 30 days of SMART goals and positive affirmations.
The bottom line: Whatever your goal is…
Own It!
Believe In It!
Proclaim It!
Plan It!
ACT On It!
Celebrate the Milestones!
Repeat! REPEAT! REPEAT!
Posted in 30-day challenge, reflections, observations & musings
Tagged happiness, inspiration, inspiring, motivation, philosophy, positive, positivity
I believe in the power of positive thinking. The Secret. The Law of Attraction. Whatever you want to call it; what you put out to the universe comes back.
“What you think, you become.” Buddha.
Your thoughts; positive or negative, good or bad, productive or un, give things the power to come to fruition in your life.
That is why I read with great interest a recent post about another blogger’s initiative, a rally call really, for like-minded bloggers to join together and blog for a cause.
Bloggers For Peace.
#B4Peace
My mind began to wander.
What would happen if many people began to shift their thoughts for this one cause?
Peace.
Imagine…
There is proof that our hearts emit electro-magnetic waves that can join and be felt around the globe.
Imagine the effect of thousands of people writing about peace and thousands more reading about peace, daily.
Discussions, comments and sharing take place and our electro-magnet waves begin to unite.
This was a movement for which I wanted to be a part.
But I needed to noodle on it for a bit. What would be my role? What could I throw in to contribute to the ripple?
So I asked:
What does “Peace” mean to me?
For some, peace means an end to war – in their country, in their streets, in their homes.
For some, peace means freedom from restrictions – slavery, religious persecution, child labour, oppression.
For some, peace means not having to worry about whether their children will eat each day.
Peace is all of those things and more.
What also came to mind was that
peace, if achieved, cannot last without environmental protection.
How long can we survive at the rate of environmental decline currently in existence today – with or without peace?
Therefore, for my contribution to Bloggers For Peace, I have chosen this month to highlight a problem for which we can all contribute toward the solution (since we’ve likely unknowingly contributed to the problem).
The North Pacific Tropical Gyre, a.k.a. The Garbage Patch
Watch, Learn, Absorb, then adopt
The New 3-R’s: Rethink, Refuse, Reconsider
and the 4th ‘R’
According to the National Geographic link below, “Because the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is so far from any country’s coastline, no nation will take responsibility or provide the funding to clean it up.”
Find out more about the Great Pacific Garbage Patch:
More about Bloggers For Peace:
http://everydaygurus.com/2012/12/20/we-can-make-a-difference-right-here-right-now/
Another Blogger for Peace:
http://tracielouisephotography.net/2013/02/08/blogging-for-peace/
Posted in reflections, observations & musings
Tagged B4Peace, challenge, communication, happiness, inspiration, inspiring, motivation, philosophy, positive, positivity, quote
I had to share this post from an exceptional photographer and friend in the blogisphere, Tracie Louise.
Tracie has joined the Bloggers for Peace initiative, about which you will soon read more on this site.
Until then, enjoy Tracie’s beautiful message and stunning photographs.
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Posted in the bright-side of the web
Tagged communication, grateful, happiness, philosophy, photography, positive, positivity, Tracie Louise
~Lou Holtz
Posted in quotes that make you go hmmm...
Tagged communication, happiness, inspiration, inspiring, Lou Holtz, motivation, philosophy, positive, positivity, quote
If you read the book or watched the movie Eat, Pray, Love, you know what I mean when I ask “What’s your word?”
During her year of self discovery, while at dinner with friends in Italy one evening, Elizabeth Gilbert’s friend Giulio describes his concept “…that every city has a single word that defines it…” Between them, they assign various cities with what they feel are the appropriate word: Rome=Sex; New York City=Achieve; Los Angeles=Succeed; Stolkhom=Conform.
Then thoughts turn personal. “What’s your word?”
Tossing around words such as Seek, Hide, Pleasure, Devotion, Ms. Gilbert remained unsatisfied, deciding to include the search for ‘her word’ in her year of reflection.
I won’t spoil it for those who have not read the book or watched the film, allowing you to journey with her as life events reveal her word.
But one thing I can tell you is that ANYONE who has experienced Eat, Pray, Love has asked themselves this very question.
“What is my word?”
“What single word defines me?”
I believe that this word can only come from within.
Sure others can give you suggestions for what their word for you would be, and if you are unsure of your word, you may try it on for size and wear it around for a while, but for the word to fit you properly, for it to be tailored to you specifically, for it to ring true and deep, the word must come from you.
I also believe that our words can, and likely will, change as our lives evolve.
How could our word stay the same if our outlooks are expanding?
Take a moment and think about what your word is.
What word sits right with you at this particular moment? It doesn’t have to be the word you keep. It may just be a starting point.
My word is something I have thought about often since I read the book a few years ago. It took me a while to settle on the word that felt just right. Maybe my “Waking Lyric Observance” aided in my choice. But once I found it, I knew it was the one.
Over the years, I have often checked back in with my choice to see if it still fit. And for quite a while it did, but recently I’ve been feeling it’s straps slipping off my shoulders.
Was I beginning to outgrow that word?
If so, what would my new word be?
I didn’t need to search very long. My new word kept presenting itself to me.
I first noticed it in a book I was reading. It immediately struck a chord but was it the right one? I paused and considered but didn’t want to settle on it without more reflection.
The next day, I saw it online. The next in a magazine. For days, and sometimes multiple times in a day, it kept revealing itself to me and each time, it felt right. It was just my size.
So for today at least, in the space I am in right now, the answer to the question “What’s my word?”:
What’s your word?
Slip it on, see how it feels, own it, then share it below.
Posted in reflections, observations & musings
Tagged books, communication, Elizabeth Gilbert, happiness, inspiration, inspiring, motivation, philosophy, positive, positivity, quote
From my favourite folks at SoulPancake, I bring you:
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Posted in the bright-side of the web
Tagged grateful, gratitude, happiness, inspiration, inspiring, Love, motivation, philosophy, positive, positivity
Do you know people who consistently poo-poo any new idea – especially yours? 
Without even taking the time to consider the nuances, the intricacies, and the brilliance of the thing, they say ‘no’ before the words are barely out of your mouth. Whatever you say, they disagree. You are wrong and they are right.
I know a few people like this. I call them ‘energy suckers’. No matter how pumped you are, they come along with their energy-zapping vacuum and point it in your direction. They’ll cut down every point you make. Stomp on your enthusiasm. Squash your high until it’s as flat as a pancake; the school-yard bully to your Pollyanna.
Well guess what? You are right (likely – I don’t know what your idea is. If it’s jumping off a cliff without a parachute then I’m pretty sure, in this instance, you are likely wrong).
What I mean is, if you are coming up with ideas: ideas that light you up; ideas that get your creative juices flowing; spontaneous take-life-by-the-wazoo-and-enjoy-it ideas then you are right and they are wrong.
So how do you stay positive against such pessimism?
This is a difficult question to answer and an even harder one to deploy. In my case, I have learned a few coping skills – long to come by, trial and error methods that seem to work, most of the time.
Method #1
First there’s the SIIYE method, short for ‘Stick-It-In-Your-Ear’. This took some learning, especially difficult for me since I am a do-what-I’m-told-don’t-make-waves kind of person so standing up for my point of view sometimes goes against the grain. This method works most easily if you are sure of yourself and know your idea is going to work. For me though, it’s a silent, to myself ‘Stick It’ to the perpetrator and I go ahead with my plans, without their blessing. And when it works out, as it often does, proving them wrong is very sweet revenge – an imaginary highest-of-fives.
Method #2
Next there’s the ‘What’s That? I Didn’t Hear You?’ method. Again, be sure of yourself so you don’t get swayed. Energy suckers sense unsure-ity. With this method, you have to be able to block out what they just said and pretend it never happened but the next step is crucial; you must self-talk yourself back to the top of the pyramid where you felt strong before you shared your thoughts, or quickly find a comrade to boost your moral. Timing is everything here. The quicker the better or their blabber will start to infiltrate your plan and knock you off your feet.
Method #3
Then we have the ‘Misery Loves Company’ method. This is when the dastardly deed-doer has succeeded in doing his dastardly deed and has sucked all the helium out of your balloon. This is where chocolate (lots of it) and a good friend with a sympathetic ear (you may need more than one of these) comes into play. You also need lots and lots of angel-on-your-shoulder self talk to get you back on track. This is vital since the devil on the other shoulder is smirking right about now. You have now been toppled from the tip of your peak and the climb back up seems steeper this time. But take heart, you will reach the summit again – stronger and wiser.
Method #4
Finally we have the ‘What’s Your Problem?’ method. And this I mean sincerely. Sometimes it helps to try to understand why the person has thrown manure on you. What is happening with them that makes them so negative? Most often, they are jealous of your spirit, your ingenuity, your energy. They are envious of your position, and more importantly, disappointed with their own. Once you meet them where they are, you may see it’s not about you at all thus allowing you the courage to follow through. And on your way up to the top, throw some encouragement their way – their glass needs topping up.
Raise Your Shields
Once you’ve made your decision to embark on your own – without their help and assistance – mind your step. They may stick their foot out to trip you now and again. And should you start to crash, securely fasten your oxygen mask by activating the methods above. Learning to raise your shields will break their suction.
If you are sure of your destination, how you get there doesn’t much matter – as long as it’s honest – and
when you arrive is the precise moment you were meant to.
Comments Off on How To Keep Your Glass Half-Full
Posted in reflections, observations & musings
Tagged challenge, communication, grateful, happiness, inspiration, inspiring, motivation, philosophy, positive, positivity
#B4Peace
Embracing Pollyanna 