About listening...

Hello Friends,

Perhaps one of the greatest skills we discover on our journey through life is the art of listening.  How often do we miss opportunities right in front of us because we failed to hear the message that is being shared with us? 

Sometimes we must use our intuition and read through the lines.  What I have come to know with certainty is there is a world of information available if we but open our heart and mind to hearing the message and listening with interest and intention.  Until next time...

Blondie©

About moving on...

Hello Friends,

At times we are forced to move on.  We must learn to embrace every circumstance that comes into our life and decide what our action plan will be.  How often, because of indecision, do we stay frozen and unsure of our next steps?  We look to others for answers that are ours to own.

What I have come to know with certainty is we must look inside and draw upon our own internal resources and gather the strength it takes to move forward.  While others can support us and we value that, they cannot enable the decision to move on; we must do that for ourselves.  Until next time...

Blondie©

About sour grapes...

Hello Friends,

Life is full of so many different types of personalities.  Perhaps it is the very thing that enables our life to stay interesting.  While we embrace most people and accept them for who they are, now and again, we meet someone who we can't help but think they exude sour grapes.

We ask ourselves, what is the contributor of their attitude and what makes them like they are? We set out on a mission to change them, andbelieve in the process of living our lives, this is something fundamentally important to us.  The reality is, when people approach life as a sour grape, it is only within themselves that change occurs.  It is not ours to own.  Until next time...

Blondie©

About it's never too early to panic...

Hello Friends,

Recently I heard the expression "it's never too early to panic".  Immediately, the words caught my attention and caused me to momentarily stop and ponder on their meaning.  I discovered we must constantly be in tune with a sense of urgency towards those very things that are most important to us and make time for them.

What I have come to know with certainty as I travel on my journey through life is focus and determination serve to ease the panic, yet equally, it is the panic that enables the goal to be realized. It is a winning combination and one which we should embrace.  Until next time...

Blondie©

About remembering...

Hello Friends,

The nicest part of any day are the moments spent in remembering the times that have had the greatest impact on our life.  What I mean by that is the situations, both good and bad that forever change us. 

What I have come to know with certainty is reflection is good for us and time well spent.  In the busy parts of our day, sometimes these are the very moments that see us through and enable us to keep going.  In reflecting we find perspective.  Until next time...

Blondie©

About new ideas...

Hello Friends, 

New ideas come to us constantly and while we want to embrace them all we must select the path that enables the one we most desire.  We simply cannot do it all; no matter how our heart aspires to. While others do not expect that of us, somehow we feel a sense of relief when they tell us that is true. 

More often they lend us needed perspective and ensure us we are doing as much as we possibly can and even then we are pushing ourselves to the limit.  Perhaps it's not so much the words they say to us; rather it is in the expression they share and the unconditional love they give us that matters most.  Until next time...

Blondie©

About empathy...

Hello Friends,

To be able to put yourself in someone else's place and intuitively know how they feel is the gift and joy in having empathy.  Often we do not truly know the range of emotions the other person feels, yet somehow we find a way to understand.

While others do not expect that very thing of us, they feel a sense of relief we do.  Perhaps it's not the words we say, or as importantly the words we are at loss to say, that matters.   Rather, more important, is the expression we give, and the unconditional care we exhibit that counts most.  Whichever is the case, to have empathy is to be given a gift.  Until next time...

Blondie©

About finding approval...

Hello Friends,

We often aspire to find approval from others.  That's a natural thing to do and something important to us in our lives.  I often wonder why that is.  Would it not be more important to know with certainty that we have our own approval and permission for things and not need others?

Perhaps that is not really realistic.  We don't live our lives in isolation; we are intertwined with many others who love and value us.  That is the essence of why we seek their approval and why we do not go in alone without them and their thoughts.  In finding approval we realize comfort.  Until next time...

Blondie©

About the rose...

Hello Friends,

I love the song "The Rose".  Perhaps the words in the song that most resound in my heart and mind are these ones.  "It's the heart afraid of breaking, that never learns to dance.  It's the dream afraid of waking that never takes the chance.  When the night has been too lonely and the road has been too long...just remember, in the winter, far beneath the bitter snow, lies the seed that with the sun's love, in the spring, becomes the rose". 

What I have come to know with certainty it is through our struggles and determination that we enable the seed within us to bloom.  I am reminded every single day that to find our happiness and success in life we must be willing to embrace the circumstances that surround us and learn to smell the roses.  Until next time...

Blondie©

About peacefulness...

Hello Friends,

So often on our journey through life a sense of peacefulness eludes us.  I'm not sure why that is; only that I know it is true.  Perhaps what is required to find peacefulness is making the search for it an important thing in our heart and mind.

I admire those who find it and how they have been able to know its existence in their life and make the search for it priority.  What I have come to know with certainty is that we need moments in our life when we experience it; if but for a brief moment, we take time to pause and embrace it.  Until next time...

Blondie©

About feeling complete...

Hello Friends,

I often reflect on what is truly means to feel complete.  What is the measure of this and how do we know with certainty that this feeling is present in our life?  Perhaps it's more an intuitive sense one feels as they think about the words, or maybe it's just more reflective of what others give to us that makes us feel complete.

What I have come to know with certainty is we must look for moments in our life and treasure those who enable us to feel that way; we must honor the circumstance and the sense of satisfaction that comes with accomplishment. Whatever is the case, we are at our best when we feel complete.  Until next time...

Blondie©

About wants and needs...

Hello Friends,

There are many things I want as I travel on my journey through life.  What I have come to know with certainty is that there are fewer things I actually need for happiness and success.  What I mean by that is our heart and mind desires so many things and in many instances that very thing we desire is what drives us. 

We come to discover that the core items of being loved and feeling fulfilled are among the most important things we need.  To have and hold those things as most dear is what truly matters most.  It is the foundation and spring board towards our success. Until next time...

Blondie©

About don't panic...

Hello Friends,

Often we find ourselves in a sense of panic. Try as we may, we are overwhelmed in the process of taking on too much.  In those moments what's most required is to breathe and stop for awhile.  We must learn recognize the signs earlier and give ourselves permission to know with certainty that it is okay if we cannot be all things to all people. 

Rather we must constantly reflect on what is truly our priority, what things can wait, and equally what things must we completely let go of.  It's not something that is easy to do; rather it takes courage to do this very thing.  We often must be reminded and encouraged but in the process of our journey through life, sometimes we figure it out; other times we simply forgive ourselves and try again.  Until next time...

Blondie©

About results...

Hello Friends,

Our happiness and success in our life is often tied to achieving results. It's how we are measured by others and a prime motivator on our journey through life.  Equally and as importantly it's how we measure ourselves.  What I have come to know with certainty is we must be able to see the end of the road, or at least know that the direction in which we are heading will yield what we so desire. 

There is no joy to be found in travelling endlessly down a path; rather we find encouragement to carry on in realizing milestone moments along the way.  It is during these times we must never lose sight of the journey itself and what we become from both the moments of happiness and sadness we experience on our path towards achieving our desired results.

Blondie©

About a china cup...

Hello Friends,

There's something lovely about pausing in the day and having a cup of tea in a china cup.  Perhaps it's the fragile and delicate nature that momentarily causes us to reflect that sometimes life is just like that very thing.  While we strive to manage all things and not feel worn down, we find ourselves having to admit we are just so weary.

In the times when we find we have no reserves left we take time out and rest awhile. It's not often that we require a major break or even a change in scenery; rather we just need to admit we have fragile and delicate emotions at times.  While we reflect that somethings overwhelm us, we come to know with certainty we are so much stronger than we think.  Until next time...

Blondie©

About feeling fulfilled...

Hello Friends,

What does it take for us to feel fulfilled and how can it be that no matter what we accomplish, we press on to reach the next goal?  We pause only momentarily on our journey to find a sense of accomplishment and embrace the joy and excitement that it brings.  Very often that is all the time we allow ourselves as so much else is driving the determination to keep moving forward. 

We are reminded it's important to take these moments to celebrate and feel a brief time of fulfillment.  Perhaps the real joy is in knowing that the feeling will arrive once again when the next goal is reached.  That may be the very essence of feeling fulfilled ongoing; meaning what we have to look forward to.  Until next time...

Blondie©

About being effective...

Hello Friends,

We often reflect on just how effective we really are.  Could we do things better or faster or simply find a way to get through the daily tasks more efficiently?  In striving to be effective we willingly try many tactics to realize that very goal.  Perhaps the real motivator is the realization of having more time in our days to devote to other things. 

There is always so much to do, so we must look for ways to be more effective. What I have come to know with certainty is there is no magic formula; rather it's something we continually work on to figure out.  Sometimes we find the answer in observing others and how they do it.  More often, we learn how to do it best ourselves.  Until next time...

Blondie©

About the fall...

Hello Friends,

When the fall comes we find the beauty of color in the trees that surround us.  While the cool days set in, there is something magical about a walk along a country path and the sound of the leaves rustling beneath our feet.

In that moment in time the stress of our day leaves us and we find ourselves wrapped up in the awe of nature and even if only briefly, we find a way to relax our mind.  In letting go and embracing this wonderful time we come to know with certainty that life is a gift and we are happy.  Until next time...

Blondie©

About influence...

Hello Friends,

In our journey through life we discover that influence can carry us a long ways.  What I mean by that is influence has the ability to persuade and cause another person to go in the direction you desire.  But influence comes with incredible responsibility and often requires taking a risk.

To have influence one must gain self confidence and use it towards the achievement of not only personal goals but as an enabler for others to achieve their goals.  On the most challenging of days we must step back and reassess the impact we can make.  In the process of having influence, we find success. Until next time...

Blondie©

About focusing...

Hello Friends,

Everyday we have an opportunity to make a difference; to impact the life of someone else, or simply make our own lives better and more fulfilled.   We are so busy just simply living our lives that we truly wonder how its possible to focus intently on anyone thing. 

Maybe what matters most is that focus enables that which we desire and what we desire drives what is truly important to us.  To enable any goal to be reached, we must find a way to to make it the object of our attention.  Sometimes that forces our heart and mind to be stretched, but in the process of focusing we find our success.  Until next time...

Blondie©

About feeling frustrated...

Hello Friends,

Perhaps one of the most difficult of emotions to handle is feeling frustrated. It could be that it's outside of our control and that makes it so and the very reason we want to walk away and take time to regroup.  Time is truly a great healer.

In the moments we have to spend alone we regain a sense of our self again.  We reenergize and refocus.  The sense of frustration becomes a distant emotion and we find a way to back in control again.  Until next time...

Blondie©

About being connected...

Hello Friends,

Our journey through life gives us amazing opportunities to be connected to others. It is perhaps one of the greatest contributors to our happiness.  In the midst of living our lives, it it these very times that enable us to survive what challenges us the most.

What I have come to know with certainty is there is no joy in going it alone. Rather it is the companionship of a colleague or friend and the contentment in knowing we are loved unconditionally that is a constant reminder that being connected is not something that is a luxury; rather it is essential.  Until next time...

Blondie©

About being lucky...

Hello Friends,

Sometimes I pause and simply reflect on how lucky I am.  There is so much to be grateful for and it's important we never lose our perspective on that very thing.  Ever present should be what is inherently most important to us.

What I have come to know with certainty is we must let go of that we cannot have; rather focus on that which is right in front of us and surrounding us with possibilities.  Among the struggles of life, joy is found in knowing how lucky we are.  Until next time...

 

Blondie©

About life being an adventure...

Hello Friends,

Every part of our journey is an adventure if we but embrace it each day.  While there will always be times that overwhelm us and we will simply want to run away, mostly it is the sense of adventure and taking risks that inspires us onward.

What I have come to know with certainty is as we grow, and learn, we just get better with every experience in our life.  The key is finding a way to enjoy it all, good and bad.  The adventures of our life define who we are and who we will become.  Until next time...

Blondie©

About empathy...

Hello Friends,

It is one of the great gift's in life to have empathy.  To be able to put yourself in someone else's shoes and feel their situation and emotions requires you to be willing to open your heart and mind to others and their circumstances.

We aren't always called upon to solve anything; more we are simply asked for understanding and compassion.  What I have come to know with certainty is in the midst of living our life, our intuition allows us to recognize these opportunities.  Our empathy finds a way to shine through with genuine emotion.  Until next time...

Blondie©

About being different...

Hello Friends,

I love this quote by Karl Lagerfield, the famous designer; 'in order to be irreplaceable you must always be different'.  Perhaps it's true we have spent so much time convincing our minds that 'no one is irreplaceable' that this philosophy has become entrenched.

How refreshing that someone sees it differently; that the very thought of being different can enable something to be seen as irreplaceable.   It's this very way of thinking that inspires our potential to stand out.  Until next time...

Blondie©

About transformation...

Hello Friends,

Along our journey through life, some things simply find a way to transform us.  It's the kind of experiences we treasure yet do not always understand.  Perhaps the impact is not felt until long after the experience.  We realize something is different in the way we feel or the way we see things but we are not exactly sure what it is.

What I have come to know with certainty is we must embrace these moments in our life and believe with unwavering faith that transformation brings about change. It is through this very act of acceptance, all the while not understanding, that transformation in us happens.  We find we are no longer the same; we are better.

Blondie©

About a winning team...

Hello Friends,

Life's successes are enabled by surrounding ourselves with a winning team.  While one often thinks of this in terms of a work effort the same premise in our personal life applies.  Of utmost importance is never losing sight that we never go it alone; rather it is surrounding ourselves with others that are going with us that we find our happiness and success.

Without the insights of others and their contributions in our life both personally and professionally the end result of achieving our goals and dreams is not possible.  When we learn that it is truly a winning team that enables the outcomes to become our reality we find happiness and success.  Until next time...

Blondie©

About going through the motions...

Hello Friends,

Some days we simply find ourselves going through the motions.  We try to figure out the expectations others have of us and rise to ensure we meet them.  At time we must decide if the effort required is worth it; if it is achievable and as importantly is it reasonable.

We don't always have the anwers, but in the process of going through the motions we discover that at times, all that is required is showing up.  Perhaps that's all that is needed until there is time to decide on the value of what is being expected.  Eventually, we sort the rest out in our mind.  Until next time...

Blondie©

About pressures of life...

Hello Friends,

Sometimes the pressures of our life overwhelm us and we aren't sure what to do.  It could be that all we need is a temporary reprieve; a chance to decompress and give ourselves permission to take a break.

Over the years I've come to know with certainty that pressures can yield our best solutions.  What I mean by that is it forces us to address the issues, and to make decisions.  Sometimes it's because we have to, but not always because we want to.  Pressures find a way to make us better.  Until next time...

Blondie©

About arms wide open...

Hello Friends,

Sometimes the very act and thought of arms wide open causes joy in my heart.  It's a warmth that exudes in a way I cannot find words to explain.  In the moment of a hug, all cares are forgotten.

Perhaps what's most important and what really counts is being available in the life of someone who needs you most.  What I've come to know with certainty is it only takes a moment with arms wide open to show you care.  Until next time...

Blondie©