Y.I. Wednesday on Monday: Why I'm Quitting Blogging

To Blog or Not to Blog...

?

In October of 2010 I started Yellow Inspiration.
Since then, I've blogged two more projects, begun a column, been working on a book and started a business.

Life is good.

I Started Yellow for a reason and that reason has grown and blossomed into the most amazing writing experience and visions I could have ever hoped for...

Even though writing a blog is free and easy...
it still takes time...

And, writing a book and running a business 
takes more time.

This Year, My One Word is:

 GOAL

The decision to not add new posts to Yellow Inspiration is supporting my goals.

For the past two years I have treated my blog like a business; which I suggest you do, if you have one.

People invest time in you, in your words and thoughts. They expect you to deliver quality content and consistency...

I think I have done that here.

And those are exactly the reasons Y.I. will not be blogging on Y.I. anymore.

But, I will promoting Y.I. Wednesday's  on my Family Matters with Amber Blog 

because I believe readers should all have a chance to get to know the person behind the blog.

If this is your first Visit to Yellow Inspiration, don't miss the 

279 Awesome Yellow Inspiration Archives 

to get motivation, rejuvenation and laughs.

Otherwise, 
Followers can still journey with me at:
www.FamilyMatterswithAmber.blogspot.com 
www.FamilyMatterswithAmber.com
@AmberInspiration on Twitter


I will ALWAYS BE TALKING 
& WRITING WHAT I TALK ABOUT!!

What are your goals?

What do you need to let go of to accomplish them???

OK- ONE LAST LAUGH:

THE TOP 10 REASONS PEOPLE QUIT BLOGGING
(but not my reasons)
~
'Go Confidently in the Direction of Your Dreams; Live the Life You Have Imagined.' 
~ Henry David Thoreau

Quote: What's Now Got To Do With It?

“The future depends on what we do in the present.” -Ghandi

What Really Matters While Your Alive?

               There'll be two dates on your tombstone, and all your friends will read 'em, 

But all that's gonna matter is that little dash between 'em... - Kevin Welch

Why I Wednesday: Y.I. Think Goals Are Easier Said Than Done

Anything worth having is worth sacrificing for.

'Goal' 

is an easy word to say, 

but not always an easy one to use.

With 'Goal' as My One Word for 2012
I know that at some point I would realize that I'd have to say 'No' to certain things...

A new PTA meeting

Another Volunteer spot
My Favorite T.V. Show

Sleeping in...

So I could say yes to others:

Spending time with my family

Relaxing with a good book

Getting quality work done
Going on a Field Trip with My Child's Class

I'm happy to say, I never regret good decisions.

What do you give up so you can accomplish your goals?

What's most difficult about this for you?

Feel the Fear and Dive Into Your Dreams Anyway!

wallpaperweb.org

I'm signed up to get these daily motivational emails

and sometimes I just love what they say! 

This one I just had to share:

"When in doubt, make a fool of yourself. There is a microscopically thin line between being brilliantly creative and acting like the most gigantic idiot on earth. 

So what the hell, leap."

 ~ Cynthia Heimel ~

Playwright, Television Writer, and Author

Y.I. Wednesday: Why I Think This Motivational Video from The Pursuit of Happyness Will Help You

Just watch this video clip and you'll see why...

Motivational Magnet Monday: Persevere

A favorite quote of mine which reminds me that no matter what is standing in front of you,
 or what is behind you, you and/will be what you were meant to be!

Motivational Magnet Monday: Impossible!

DON'T LET ANYONE TELL YOU....

....THAT YOU CAN'T DO SOMETHING!

Motivational Magnet Project

Since they were invented, refrigerators have been the most visited place in the home for us to get nourishment.

Though some of us go there to feed our minds as well.

At least I do.

You see, my fridge has a bunch of motivational magnets on it, so on any given day, not only do I gravitate towards my ice box for food, but I also visit it for inspiration.

I feel like on my worst days, my fridge talks to me, not for real of course, because if it did, it would  probably say, 'Do you really think no one knows about the stash of chocolate you keep in the hidden cubby on the door?', or, 'Choose the carrots over the ice cream!', but it does have many words on it that speak to my soul.

So, I thought that for the 7 weeks I will be dedicating Monday's to My Magnet Project...
I plan on sharing all of the motivational and inspirational words on my fridge.

If you have a favorite quote from yours, please share it with me and I will post them. I can be emailed a picture, or you can comment at the bottom of this post with the quote.

Here's The First for 

Magnet Monday's

This one is an oldy, but goody...

The magnet is about 15 years old...

and it's one quote that everyone should have on their fridge

 and in their mind.

Believe

To accomplish great things

we must not only act but also dream

not only plan, but also believe.

-Anatole France

Plan Ahead to Stay in the Present

These days so many people are encouraging us to stay in the present.

I support this, though can rarely do it. Like most people, my attention is often directed in so many different directions due to busy schedules and multiple media influence.

But, my inability to sit still and be in the now, isn't always because of that....

It's also my own lack of time management.

In the beginning of the year I chose my new One Word for 2012. Very quickly I realized that to be successful with it, I would have to get better organzied.

And, one of the best ways for me to do this was to plan ahead.

Doing this might sound a bit counterproductive to 'staying in the present', but it's not actually.

Why?

Because, getting your to-do list out of the way as soon as you think of it (or know about it):

A) Gives you more time to do what you want to later.
B) Allows you to be more relaxed, less hectic and less overwhelmed.
C) Gives you an opportunity to pick a Plan B (or C) in case Plan A doesn't work out.
D) Affords you more sleep (because you won't be so stressed about tomorrow, since it's already been taken care of!
E) Gives you a longer time period to save for things (or find them on sale).
F) Helps you avoid late fees.
G) Gives you the gift of time: time to relax, enjoy the moment and make a decision without pressure.

Doesn't all of that sound incredible!

 I know you are thinking though, it sounds good, but seems like it's the opposite of procrastination...

It is.

Sorry.

I did say that I was someone who wouldn't tell you what you want to hear.

And I won't....

Don't put off today  tomorrow what you can do today....

Plan ahead, so you can actually enjoy tomorrow.

The other option?

Still having to get done what's on the to-do list, except having to do it in a hurry.

I'd rather have Plan A.

Did You Know (Dr. Seuss)?

Did you know Dr. Seuss' first book 'And to Think That I Saw It On Mulberry Street'  was rejected?

Not once, not twice, but twenty-seven times?

Listen to this story on NPR.org

What if you really wanted something?

What if you were the only one who believed in your dream?

What if no one supported you?

Would you still push?

or

Would you give up?

What if  Dr. Seuss quit?

A whole bunch of kids might not have enjoyed reading...or wouldn't have even learned to read as soon as they did.

Including my own child.

When my ten year old was a little girl, she hated books. Her older sister was an avid reader at two years old, but at eighteen months old my second darling daughter wanted nothing to do with books.

I thought she'd never read...all she wanted to do was run around and scream.

The truth, she needed speech therapy and was more of a tactile and emotional child.

To sit still and listen to a story was nearly impossible, never mind learn to read it.

Finally, after years of continuing to try to read to her, introducing book after book, she finally began to read!

 Hop on Pop and The Foot Book were her first, and she remembers them fondly to this very day!

After conquering those two books, she was off  and running with more:

Dr. Seuss's ABC and Green Eggs and Ham were next!

Sadly, the famous author died ten years ago...ironically, just a few days after my daughter's birth.

You just never know what you could do for someone if you believe in yourself!

Even if it's seventy years later....and for someone you never meet.

Thank you, Dr. Seuss for your stick-to-itiveness!

One Simple Quote

In lieu of this week's Y.I.

I thought I'd tip my hat to the Donald one more time:

'As long as you're going to be thinking anyway, 

think big.' 

-Donald Trump

Has Your Life Worked Out the Way You Planned?

About 3 1/2  years ago, I felt like I had hit a brick wall.

I sensed that maybe I was in the wrong place, or maybe I was in the right place, but that the wrong things were happening.

Regardless, I definitely knew life was not exactly as I wanted it to be.

So, after an entire month of reflection and evaluation, I realized I had put myself there, and I had to ask whether or not it was what I wanted.

Indeed, I knew I was in the correct place in life. There wasn't anything I did, or didn't do, which I regretted.
I was still relieved about divorcing my 'X', I was still thrilled with my decision to relocate, and I was quite content being a single mom ....but the rest hadn't fallen into place yet.

I wasn't writing, I was stuck in a dead end job, and I still hadn't gotten that book started.

Around that time, I came across this quote:

"You are where you are because you want to be." 


It seemed simple enough, but hit me so hard. 


I realized at that moment, my situation, good or bad, had to do with me and only me...and that to get out of it and make anything happen I had to take charge.


I cannot even remember where I saw or heard that phrase, but it saved my life.

That very day, I stopped the pity party.

Then, I took a  bright colored marker and wrote that exact quote on a sheet of paper...

I taped it to the wall across from my bed. That way, every morning, when I opened my eyes, I was sure to wake up.


Today, I am happy to say that I write three blogs, have a monthly family column which circulates in a local newspaper and I am working on my parenting book every day. I also started my own copywriting and editing business after my hours got cut at my day job...and I have plenty more in my sights.

The future is ours, if only we seize it.

Y.I. Ditched My New Year's Resolution List

Because I always seemed to either forget about them or give up on them....I have left my long standing New Year's Resolutions at the door.

I mean, yes, I believe in change (oh, do I) but, I truly think it's too easy to get overwhelmed working on a whole bunch of things at once...

Hence Why I ditched my New Year's Resolution list last year and replaced it with One Word.

Recently, I posted a few things about this One Word approach and I hope you will check it out.

Easy, but not too easy. Simplified, but not simple...I find it to be just right.

During the year, I feel that I work on the things I need to work on, you know, make adjustments as I go.
So, when New Year's comes around I usually over-do-it by making a big long list of things and get overloaded. Then,  I'm discouraged after just a short time...like by February 1st (Ugh).

So, last year, I decided to just stick to one word all year long that helped me focus better on almost anything I was doing.

Read about 2011's word: Grace

This time I chose Goals for 2012!

Last Year I chose Grace.

Read how I did:

Bad with Grace

Good with Grace

The trick will be, keeping Grace in action, 

while incorporating Goals...

It's both exciting and scary!

Yikes! 

Sounds tricky...

But, I think I'm up for the challenge.

No pain, no gain, right?

Throughout 2012, I will post updates and follow up stories about how I'm doing with my Goals.
Come back next week to find out how I plan on using this word!


I have already begun  my Goal list for the year...
and that's just the beginning.

Have you ditched New Year's resolutions? Why?

Or...

Will you be trying One Word instead?

Think you might like to try 

My One Word? 

visit MyOneWord.com 

or 

Test a New Year's Resolution? click here to read more

What's Standing In the Way of You & Your Goals?

Are you doing the best you can to reach your goals?

or 

Do you have Excusitus

What to do if the answer is Yes. 

An excuse is something you tell yourself first, in an attempt to justify why you didn't do something.

Happy 1st Anniversary Yellow Inspiration: New Things Coming!

A year ago I decided to check out this 'blogging thing'.

I started Yellow Inspiration so I could give back, do what I love, and hold myself accountable to write everyday.

I knew that it would eventually help me to get motivated enough to write my book.

2 new blogs, 416 Posts, 15,313 page views, currently working on my book finally, and recently started my own copywriting and editing company, ...

Blogging has been a blessing.

And, now Yellow Inspiration is growing to new levels!

It's getting a new look!
New Features like most popular blog posts tab in the sidebar!
Yellow is now being added to Wordpress!
 Andis Y.I. NEW on Wednesdays!
Visit the new Y.I. Tab to see what it's all about!

HAPPY 1st Year ANNIVERSARY YELLOW INSPIRATION!
You've been a blessing!

Dream On...

Have you ever wondered what happened to the people you knew who had dreams?

Do you wonder whether or not your high school classmate ever purchased that piece of land in the country and started a farm on it? Do you secretly hope your old friend Patty opened up that consignment shop she always dreamt of?  Are you hopeful that your neighbor from ten years ago finished law school and has their own firm by now?

Or… 

Have you spoken to all of them since and you’re pretty sure they ditched their dreams a long time ago because Patty is now a stay-at-home mom and claims she is too busy to open a store… your old classmate works downtown 80+ hours a week, and your neighbor quit school because of a rough semester…?

These folks had dreams….

Did you? 

Well, I know I did.

For at least ten years I’ve been saying I will one day write a book. (From what I understand this is a common problem among many writers...’oh phfew, I feel so much better now'…NOT.)

I will someday write that book and I won’t write just one; I will write many books. 

I know this, because it’s my dream and I’m not about to abandon it. 

It might be taking me a while, but I am still holding on to it.

Our dreams I’ve realized-- only die when we let them.

It sounds terrible, but it’s true.

When we stop believing in our dreams … is when they will never happen.

I have, at times, doubted my dreams; telling myself that people really don’t want, or need, what I have to share…but that is not true.

If I think about positively: all I have been through, I have a lot to share with others and I have a way to help others.

 - I was married for ten years

 - Divorced for five

 - I am successfully parenting three amazing children of various ages who are excelling beyond my wildest dreams.

Additionally, I have majorly turned my life around from multiple mistakes due to a majorly dysfunctional adolescence.  

You may think the world doesn’t need your dream because you imagine your idea won't  make a difference.

But, think again…

 -Where would you be without your microwave?

 -How often do you use toothpaste?

 -How important is your phone?

 -Do you utilize air flight?

These are things…and I know that not all of us are into inventing things…

So, then, ask yourself these: 

-How many people has the Red Cross helped?

-What has the Peace Corp done for the world?

-How much of a difference has the United Way made?

Whether it’s a product or service…or even just a quote, which could better the lives of others…

Don’t you dare give up on your Dream.

The world needs you.

So if you are like me and have not yet fulfilled all of your dreams, don’t stress…timing is everything. 

Purpose, vision, and belief are everything else. 

Who knows, maybe time is on your side. 

You might just need the experiences of today to achieve your dreams tomorrow.

'The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.' - Elenor Roosevelt

Truly,

Amber

My Mad Lib Answers

Today I got up at  ____noon_____ and put on some ______designer clothes____________  for a change. I went out into the ____library_____________ and grabbed a _______________book___________________ and sat down in the _____garden_______________.

_____Ryan___________  came in while I was ____reading_________ and offered me a  __crepe__________________.

It had been  __5____ years since I’d had that for breakfast.  After I had the maid _____cook breakfast_________ AND _____take out trash_______________  I decided  to go to __the book store ____________ .  I saw _________Taylor________________  and asked her to go with me.  On the way we decided to grab some lunch at ______sushi restaurant______________________.

We hopped into my ______Lexus________ . And on the way we talked about ______books_______________ _______and _________movies______________.  We stopped at ______shoe store_______________ and bought _10_  _____shoes_______________________ ___ ‘s  then we were on our way.

While at the restaurant  _________Oprah________________ joined us for lunch and afterwards she/he invited us onto the set of the show __________Oprah Winfrey Show ____________________.

_____Wow______________! That was fun! 
It was about time for us to be going because I had to pack for ______Hawaii_________________! 

I dropped ______Taylor_____________ off at her house and went home to get my  _____feet___________massaged.

I couldn’t wait to leave; it was going to take ___10__ hours to get there by ____plane_________________ .

Since I would be away for__10___  weeks, I left a list of things to be done while I was gone;

1.       ____clean cat boxes________

2.       ____laundry_______________

3.       ____sort socks_____________

4.       ____clutter clean____________

5.       ____wash slip covers_________

6.       ____clean furniture__________

7.       ____grocery shop___________

When I arrived at my destination the temperature was ­­­­_75____degrees and I was thrilled to finally be there.

I could smell the               roses______ and the _______ocean__________. The time flew by so quickly. 

While I was there  I enjoyed ___horseback riding_____,  __spa ____,

____massage________________, ______shopping______________, and  learning      ________golf_______________.

For dinner every night I ate __pasta & seafood_______________,  sipped  _____champagne___________________ by the ________sunset_______ and had ____teri me su___ for dessert .

 As I crawled into my bed at the hotel on my last night, I dreamt that every day could be like this one.

The next morning, when I woke up to the sound of ____ocean on the shore_____ I thought, ‘I will miss  ______Hawaii____________________  but I really miss ________Taylor, Tatum, Justice, Ryan _______________ and ________________my own pillow and my pets____________________________ more….

Life swap was nice, but I can’t wait to go back home.

'Joy is the feeling of Grinning inside.' - Melba Colgrove, Phsychologist
                 
     Happy Friday!
If you are interested in doing this Madlib, refer to last Fun Friday's post: Life Swap (3/5/11) and use the list to compile your words...then  use Saturday 3/6/11- Life Swap Cont'd post to fill in the blanks! Have Fun!

 

Truly,

Amber

Life Swap (Cont'd)

LIFE SWAP-Mad-Lib Time!

I hope you’ve got your word list handy that you created from the last post! –Ready? Fill-in-the-blanks!

Today I got up at __ _________ and put on a____ ______________ for a change. I went out into the _________________ and grabbed a ___________ _______________________.

Then I went into the   ________________ .

 ______________ came in while I was _____________ and offered me ______ ______________.

It had been ______ years since I’d had that for breakfast.  After I had the maid do _________ AND ____________________   I decided to go to __________________.

On the way there I saw _________________________ and asked him/her to go with me.  On the way we decided to grab some lunch at ____________________________.

We hopped into my ________________ and headed there. On the ride we talked about ______________and ______________________________.  We stopped at _____________________and bought ____________________________ ___‘s..

At the restaurant _________________________ joined us for lunch, and afterwards invited us to the set of  _________________________________.

______!That was fun!

It was about time for us to be going because I had to pack for _______________________.

I dropped _______________ off at his/her house and went home to get my ________________ massaged.

I couldn’t wait to leave; it was going to take _____ hours to get there by _____________________ .Since I would be away for_____ weeks I left a list of things to be done while I was gone;

1.  ________________________

2.  ________________________

3.  ________________________

4.  ________________________

5.  ________________________

6.  ________________________

7.  ________________________

When I arrived at my destination the temperature was ­­­­_____degrees and I was thrilled to finally be there.

I could smell the________________________________________________ and the _________________________________________.

While I was there I enjoyed ______________, ________________, ____________________, ____________________, and I even learned   how to _______________________.

For dinner every night I ate _________________, and sipped ________________________ by the _________________________________________ and had _______________________ for dessert.

The time flew by so quickly. And as I crawled into my bed at the hotel on my last night, I dreamt that every day could be like this one.

The next morning when I woke up to the sound of ______________________ I thought, ‘I will definitely miss _____________ but I really miss _________,_________,_________ , _________, ______________________ and ____________________________________________ more.

Life Swap was nice, but I can’t wait to go back home!

   Because real life can sometimes be mundane, I thank you for daydreaming with me!                  

        I hope you had as much fun with this as I did!  (I will post mine later:)

But in the end, I trust you felt like Dorothy, Toto and the people who chose to Wife Swap…..

        ‘There’s no place like home.’

Truly, Amber