One Size Does Not Fit All

One size does not fit all when it comes to motivation. 

I like to think that I motivate people, but who knows, maybe I don't.

For example, maybe it takes spending time around the elderly that lead some people to maximize their time on earth.

Others might be frozen in fear by it and maybe even depressed.

Maybe visiting countries which are less fortunate than us can cause someone  to want to help, but might drive others to be fearful for themselves and inspire greed.

I read a book last year called ‘The Last Lecture’.  

It motivated me. 

It did not push me to become someone I’m not and it did not inspire me to run a marathon either….but it did change the way that I think.

I was inspired to be appreciative for the dreams that I have achieved, be happy for the time I do have and for the blessings that are bestowed upon me…

Rather than…

Be disappointed by what I do not have, did not get and have not accomplished.

Randy Pausch’s book moved me; his wife Jai moved me. 

The story made me think the opposite of the way I used to think. 

Instead of dwelling daily on the things I’d not done and how long it took me to do the things that I had, I began to feel blessed for the things I’d accomplished and I started to realize how much time I still  have left…and not to waste a minute of it.

 

It afforded me patience to be myself now, enjoy the positive memories of the past and look forward to the future….no matter how slow it developed in my own eyes.

Here is another story that changed my thinking:

Erin Crossin Grenon’s Road to Recovery Blog

http://egrenon.blogspot.com/2011/06/tuesday-june-7th-update.html

Erin motivates me, her husband Dustyn moves me. Their story makes me realize how careful we must be with our lives, our words, our motives. And how strong we must be during tragedies and how we should always be grateful for the air we breathe and the people who love us. 

The undenying strength and unconditional love that Erin’s husband and family have for her; the ability to see past today…which isn’t lovely, to a future that will someday, hopefully, be close to normal.

Here are two other links that I like to read:

I just love this post from  May 26^th on Better Life Coaching:

http://betterlifecoaching.wordpress.com/2011/05/26/dont-press-the-snooze-button/

Rowdy Kittens:

http://rowdykittens.com/2011/06/kindness/ 

Reminds me how beautiful life is when I move out the stuff in my life. It makes me appreciate lthe things that really matter like nature and people... and that learning to live with less is practical and peaceful.

Visit these blogs, not just because I told you to, but because reading stories are the best way to gain another perspective.

We all need it sometimes to change our thinking and light a fire underneath us to change.

Truly,

Amber

Take this Test, You May Be Surprised at the Results

http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/1aKh2f/www.perbang.dk/orcapia.cms%253Faid%253D66

Happy Friday!

Not Necessary, But Worth the $$

Stuff cannot make us happy. But there are little creature comforts in life which can help.

I don’t like to spend extra money on things that don’t seem practical or logical. I think I was brought up that way. My parents were not millionaires and they taught me to be wise careful with my money. 

Being a single mother for several years taught me a few things about spending and conserving as well.

But with that being said, I still find there are things which are definitely worth the money and should be purchased if the desire is there. 

They are:

Ice cream

Fresh flowers

Take-out Pizza

My favorite lotion

Scented Candles (My favorites, and when I buy them, the only ones I buy are Partylite)

A new CD (Mine usually comes in the form of a Christmas CD/once a year at Christmas)

This list of items might seem very random to you, and granted not one of them is a necessity.

But, that's what makes them so special.  Each one has a little convenience or comfort rating in my life and I have realized over time that I don’t want to give any of them up, if I can help it.

No one knows better than me that there have been multiple times in my life when there's absolutely no room in the budget for extras, but if I can manage one thing off this list every so often, than it’s a treat, and makes me smile.

What are some of the little things you refuse give up? 

Is it a dish in your kitchen that’s always full of your favorite candy? 

Is it a special coffee you look forward to every morning? 

Is it a membership to somewhere, that you refuse to give up? 

Is it your weekly news paper or monthly magazine subscription?

What gives you joy, but is not a necessity, that you would not part with because, if anything, it just makes your day?

Life is too short, we must enjoy it.

Truly,

Amber

How Far Would You Go?

Photo from VisualPhotos.com

I was waiting with my children the other day for an elevator.

I had already pressed the button on the wall to call an elevator to the lobby level.

Loaded down with bags of things, we had been standing there for a few moments waiting for the elevator to come.

As the farthest door away from us opened, I noticed not one, but two employees of the building rush from around the corner and steal into it before us. (They saw us but tried looking at the ground instead.)

We were lucky to get to the door before it had closed and the guys entering it never even bothered to hold the door, never mind wait their turn to get in. (How silly would that have been?)

How inconsiderate I thought.   

But now-a-days it’s not so uncommon to be treated like this-it sometimes seems as if no one has any manners any more.

Today, I was in a similar situation and as I was just beginning to enter the building this time, and even farther away from the elevators than before, a woman who was in the elevator already saw me as she was pressing the inside button for her floor.

She was on the phone and I did not have hope of getting in that elevator. I just figured I’d put my things down and grab the next one.

Not only did  the woman look towards me, but she threw up her leg and stuffed her foot in the door to stop the it from closing. (Nice shoes and all she just stuck them in the door!) 

Then, even though she was on her cell-phone she paused to ask me which floor I needed once I got on.

At the end she told me to have a good day.

I told her how much I appreciated her efforts to save the elevator for me and that she really went out of her way, when others who should, do not.

She just smiled, laughed and said, 'I know exactly what you mean'. (Maybe she'd been in that situation before and knew what it felt like.)

When it comes time to do something nice for someone, (in our house we call it Random Acts of Kindness) how far will you  go?

Truly,

Amber

 

Tech Troubles?

Just visit this well-known comic for a laugh...

http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/1yw47M/www.dilbert.com/comics/dilbert/archive/

Then unplug it...Just kidding. 

After you check out the comic chalk up your tech issues to the fact that I think your computer went home early...

It is Friday, after all.

Enjoy your weekend!

Truly,

Amber

A Memory of the Beautiful Atlantic Ocean from CT

'If you realized how powerful your thougts are, you would never think a negative thought.' 

- Peace Pilgrim

More on the Peace Pilgrim:

http://www.peacepilgrim.com/

Truly,

Amber

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

A Relationship Funny

I am a woman, but I do not always agree with the stereotypical statements about women...
Although this cartoon is quite funny.

I will admit that I might have a tendency to be a little confusing from time to time...

But that has nothing to do with me being a woman ;)

Because men can be just as difficult to understand.

Happy Friday and Enjoy this Comic!

http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/2bQkpB/themetapicture.com/media/pros-of-being-a-psych-major-540x615.jpg

Truly,

Amber

Better Decision Making with Patience

At church this past Sunday, our pastor was talking about patience.

You and I both know that many of us do not have patience, and the companies that sell us products are in no hurry to talk us out of this.

We have phones with email. We instant message and we have call waiting (which must really irk the guy who’s waiting for someone on the other end to pick up).

It seems as though nothing, or no one, can wait these days.

Pastor said the same thing.

He used microwaves as an example and he referred to the ‘close-door-button’ in elevators.

The close-door-button thing got me. I had to think about that one. 

Why do we have a close-door-button on elevators?

Like Pastor pointed out, the door closes just seconds after we press the button for which floor we are choosing to go to. But many of us stand there with our fingers glued to that button, pushing it, like no tomorrow.

I don’t know why we do this and I have no idea why elevators have this button.

My hunch is this: elevator sales people kept telling their higher ups that if the engineering department were to design elevators with close-door-buttons as a feature, they would sell more, because they know we all hate to wait.

It makes me laugh, but this lack of patience thing is so true.

Take for instance decision making.

How many of us take our time making decisions? 

 

Generally when we are out purchasing a vehicle or TV, the salesman has a ‘today only’ special. Or when picking out toothpaste at the grocery store, someone is always behind us waiting to pick out theirs too...

in both instances we feel pressured to choose.

Most times it's possible we end up coming home with something that we didn’t quite want.

But, it's all about now. 

We have to do it now. Get it now. Buy it now and decide it now.

Why?

What will happen if we don’t?

What would happen if I decided to go home and ‘sleep on it’ (like our parents used to say)?

What would happen if I said no to that TV?  Would they stop making them?  Doubt it.

What if I didn't buy that shirt today? Would I miss the greatest deal of a lifetime? Probably not.

I’m beginning to learn that better choices (and thinking) come with time.

Ever hear the phrase ‘to make an educated decision’?

It takes facts and research to become educated; which essentially takes – you guessed it- time.

We just need to relax and realize that a decision that is not obviously life or death is not actually life or death.

And nothing is going to happen if that decision is not made right-this-instant.

Some of us, like myself, are eager to say yes to everything. (I just had this discussion with someone today.) We always feel that we have to do, and accept, everything someone offers us.

Well, we don’t.

And the world will not end if we wait and respond with, ‘let me sleep on it’, ‘let me give you my answer tomorrow’, ‘let me think about it’, or ‘when do you need to know by?’.

Life is what we make it and each day and decision should not be chosen hastily.

Use these tips:

When preparing to purchase something:

• Write the item down in a notebook and don’t buy it. Come back to it in a month. If you still think you need it, buy it. But you will possibly forget about it by then.

When asked to do a favor for someone:

• First take a breath, count to 5 and ask yourself this question: is this person a good friend, would they help me, will this interfere with my family/friends/work and the things that really matter in my life- i.e., do I have time for this? (Consider that maybe this favor could be performed at a different time so that you may still be of help.)

When making a life changing decision:

• Discuss it with people you trust, people who have done what it is you are thinking about doing (or have experience with it).

And, as with any decision, being honest with yourself is key. 

Writing the pros and cons down on a sheet of paper will sometimes spell out the truth.

Spend no more than a few days to a week educating yourself on it and then take a break. 

Stop talking about it, put it away and live life as you were. (There is a potential to obsess about it and create a fictitious need for something-especially if you test drove it;)

So, take a break and then come back with a fresh perspective the one you had before you began daydreaming.

Once you try this, you might think it’s magical.

Okay, maybe it isn’t quite magical in the wizardly sense, but it is an amazing concept.

Try it and see.

 

Truly,

Amber

Memorial Day Thank You

It was not what they planned...

But a risk they were willing to take.

...For the freedom of you and I.

Our thoughts and prayers are with all of the men and women who have served this country and lost their lives in the process.

And Thank You to all of the men and women still serving today.

We are ever so grateful for your continued dedication and sacrifice.

The American people will forever be in your debt.

Truly,

Amber

I Park Like an Idiot

I would actually like to think that I do NOT park like an idiot.

 BECAUSE...

1. I have never parked diagonally in the hopes of preventing other drivers from opening their car doors into my car (I have the dents to prove it).
2. I have never illegally parked in a handicap spot.
3. I have never taken up two parking spots in a parking lot (unless of course I was pulling a trailer).
4. I have never parked my car in a tree (well at least not on purpose).
5. I have never parked so close to someone that they could not open their door enough to get into their car.
6. I have never tried passing a stopped school bus with it's lights on, and ripped a hole down the side of my vehicle (which someone in our neighborhood did this spring)...

Okay, so the last guy wasn't exactly parking....but it was worth the mention.

Check out this link of people who (apparently) park like idiots:

Picture from StumbleUpon.com

http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/1hE00O/iparklikeanidiot.com/
I am not completely sure that these bumper stickers are truly for sale, but boy let me say that they look like something worth keeping in my car for those people who don't know how to park.

Happy Friday!

 

Truly,

Amber

One of My Most Disliked Quotes

On Monday I shared one of my most favorite quotes.


It was a long one, but I love it, and I try hard to live by it.


But, there is one quote that I am not always a fan of...


It's this one: 
'WHETHER YOU THINK YOU CAN, OR CAN'T, YOU ARE PROBABLY RIGHT'

Grrrrr.... this statement always gets me.


Why?


Because it's true!

The quote blatantly states that if i think I'm not going to do something...

I'm not.

And every time I remember this statement I tend to want to to try harder.


So, it urks me- but I like it. Sounds weird-but think about it.


Working hard and accomplishing something that you didn't think you could do, leaves you with a great feeling.

But, there are those times when you just know there is an easy way out and you're tempted to choose it.


You know the type I mean...


The road where you will not meet fears or challenges and no elbow grease is needed...which inevitably will lead you down the path to 'Your Comfort Zone'?


(Yes, I knew you'd remember...)

There are so many times in our lives when we think we cannot accomplish something. We imagine the work that it will take to get somewhere- and we think it will be so unbearable that we just cannot stand to even think about it.

Instead, we choose the easy road and call it quits early on.


Why? 


Because it's easy to justify...

We can always find a million, or more, reasons why we should just:

1. Forget about it
2. Let it go
3. Not worry about it today
4. Wait until next time

But what I have noticed with myself is that if I just say this simple phrase (the one I dislike), it will give me just a bit more of a push and I will realize that I CAN DO IT!

It's almost as if it spurs a little healthy competition with myself. (Don't tell Me I cannot do something!)

It's similar to the story of The Little Engine That Could. (I know we allllll remember THAT story.)

Can You?

Sometimes we can make tasks seem so monstrous, but if we push ourselves to try just a little harder...think a little more positive...and work just a little longer.....


We CAN DO IT!

'WHETHER YOU THINK YOU CAN OR CAN'T YOU ARE PROBABLY RIGHT'
(From BoardofWisdom.com)


If you think you are beaten, you are;
If you think you are dare not, you don't;
If you'd like to win, but you think you can't;
It's almost certain you won't.

If you think you'll lose, you've lost;
For out in the world you'll find;
Success begins with a fellow's will;
It's all in the state of mind.

If you think you are outclassed, you are;
You've got to think high to rise;
You've got to be sure of yourself before
you can ever win a prize.

Life's battles don't always go;
To the stronger or faster man;
But sooner or later the man who wins;
Is the man who thinks he can.

- -Anonymous

I think you can, I think you can, I think you can...
YOU CAN!!!!

Truly,

Amber 

One of My Favorite Quotes

To laugh often and much; To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 - 1882) American Essayist & Poet

 

Truly,

Amber

Cannon Ball Run or Geocaching Anyone?

In the early 80’s Burt Reynolds starred in a movie called Cannonball Run.

Fast and Funny, this movie was very popular. The object of the game was to race the streets in fast cars; the first one to the end (and solving the clues) won a pot of money.

The movie was so popular, in fact, I think some kids from my senior class decided to make up their own Cannonball Run. It was Illegal and I don’t believe it turned out very well.

But, if this type of adventure interests you, there is good news!  

You can do it legally!

See World Cannonball Run: http://www.cannonballworld.com/

‘ The U.S. dates for the Cannonball Run Rat Race are set for Sept. 3, 2011 in New York City's Central Park and will end about 3,000 miles away in Southern California on Sept. 9 or 10, 2011.’(Quoted from the site listed below) 

 

 http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-20059771-48.html#ixzz1LmITEdSQ

The Rat Race ’11

‘Drivers and their machines will roll out of Central Park, New York – 3rd September, 2011. Drivers will be handed Mission Packs along with a key. This key will gain you access to a hidden locker on the West Coast. Mission packs containing clues will navigate drivers across the country. [...]’ (Quoted from the site below)

http://www.cannonballworld.com/events/

So if you have a fast car and like scavenger hunts here’s an event for you!

Maybe you could win some money! (Though there is an entry fee - the pot, I’m sure, is huge.)

Now, if you don’t like driving fast but enjoy thinking fast, try Geocaching!

I just learned about this myself and it sounds quite fun. I know somebody who does this every year and they love it!   

You can travel anywhere, seeing the sites while using your GPS to search for things people hide.

Check out Geocaching  at: http://www.geocaching.com/

(Also, some Geocachers around the world enjoy doing good for the environment with Cache In Trash Out.)

Check it out here: 

http://www.geocaching.com/cito/default.aspx

Either way, these two events tell me that no matter how grown-up we grown-ups are supposed to be, in the end we still like to have fun!

HAPPY FRIDAY TO YOU!

Truly,

Amber

Self-Esteem So Simple, It's Childs Play

How many people do you know have great self esteem?

I know several and they are very happy people.

They are fair, kind and always giving.

On the other hand, I also know a few people who really don’t have any self esteem at all. 

They don’t particularly like themselves very much. They are mean, condescending and very competitive. They love to challenge that you are, and tell you what to do but can never figure out who they are or take care of their business. 

They’re hard to be friends with.

And they’re sort of like bullies. 

Bullies bully because they are trying to gain a sense of self-worth. And always trying

to accomplish it by using short-cuts.

They enjoy trying to make people feel bad so that they may feel better.

A bully comes in all shapes and sizes, and contrary to popular belief, bullies aren’t just kids.

They can be adults as well.

A bully is just feeding a monster. One that will never be satisfied.

And no matter what they do, it will never be enough, because self respect and self esteem come from the inside.

It is about who you are; not what you have, who you know, how much you make or what you’ve accomplished over others.

In such a materialistic, commercialized America and in a celebrity obsessed society, it's easy to see how hard it might be to grow up understanding what truly matters. In this day and age it’s hard not to think about what we have or don't have...

But imagine a natural disaster came-and it wiped out everything you owned…

Would you know who you were?

And more importantly would you like yourself?

In a time where it’s getting harder and harder to afford the extras and job losses are at an astronomical high, people everywhere have been forced to sit back and take stock of what really matters. They are seeing that who they are is not about what they have.

Here is a website someone suggested to me. The video on the home page is a great one.

http://www.s-teamkids.com/

This site is meant for parents and children. The philosophies seem to support this: 

• Do what’s right

• Treat others kindly

• Treat people how you would like to be treated

Such a simple philosophy.

But yet, is so difficult for some to put into practice.

I like this quote I saw taped to the principal’s desk at my child’s school:

'Will someone else's life be brighter tomorrow because of what you have done today?' 

           -William Arthur Ward

Be kind to someone today... just because....

Believe it or not it will increase your self-esteem.

Truly,

Amber