Amazing!

 I have no idea who created this incredible depiction of a lost soldier out of a tree stump.  It's not only beautiful, but glorious, patriotic, heart-breaking, thought-provoking and so, so much more.  Look closely at the details.

 

 

 

 

 

Just Beautiful!

 

 

 

 

 

 

One New Thing

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Learn to Bird Watch

We all want to make improvements in our lives (at least, we should want to).

So, why not set up a challenge? Just one itty-bitty trial a day.  Is there any fear you've wanted to conquer?  A hobby you've wanted to take on?  

I'd like to give credit where it's due.  This idea came from my teenager prior to her first year of middle school.  I remember how frightened she was (and excited).  Yet by the end of the week, she'd met plenty of new friends (as did most of the other children). 

What I didn't know was that she had made a pledge to say "hello" and compliment one new person every day.  Every day. 

So, what's your challenge going to be? 

 

• -striking up a conversation with someone in the grocery line
• -taking the elevator instead of the stairs (if you're scared of heights or claustrophobic) or
• taking the stairs instead of the elevator (if you want to start exercising)
• -learning one fancy word every day
• -learning a new language (one new word a day, one phrase a week)
• -starting a journal
• -applying for jobs you'd love, even if you don't meet all of the requirements
• -writing your spouse love notes
• -reading a famous novel
• -paying for an extra coffee and giving it to the person in line beyond you
• -signing up for a class you've always wanted to take
• -volunteering for something you believe in
• -sending hand-written notes to friends you haven't seen for years
• -apologizing to or forgiving someone
• -writing a paragraph a day, a page a week, a chapter a month, a novel in a year
• -helping a neighbor with a chore
• -scheduling an appointment for a physical, a massage, a mammogram, or whatever it is your body needs
• -trying a new food
• -swapping your unhealthy snack for a fresh piece of fruit
• -calling someone special just to say "I love you."
• -asking a friend about her day
• -creating a piece of art
• -learning to read music
• -playing the guitar

Share your own personal challenge in the comments section or see Your Words.

 

Don't Let Life Pass You By

Taking the First Step

Never Work A Day In Your Life

You’ve heard the sayings before:

Live to work: don’t work to live.

Love what you do and you’ll never work a day in your life.

Success doesn’t create happiness; happiness creates success.

Chase a dream, not a pay check.

Okay, I made the last one up.

Why?  Because my dream job is to make things up.   (I'm a writer and that includes fiction.  I really do get to make things up.)  I’m a journalist too, so don’t worry.  I’m happy to work with facts when my job requires it.

Whoa--did you see that?   I used happy and job in the same sentence.   Believe it or not, you can too!  I’m not talking about getting rich quick or work-at-home schemes.  I’m talking about honest-to-goodness hard-word, pounding the pavement every day (and sometimes every night), and just plain putting yourself out there for the business world to see.   The difference is you are putting your “true” self out there.  The self that makes you comfortable, makes you smile, makes you shine.  Make no mistake about it, when you shine you become easier to see!

If everyone on this planet had the same interests and capabilities our progress would be very limited.  It is our differences that provide value.  It is our interests that provide that drive.

So, why is work so hard? According to a quote released in an article by Forbes.com, “Some surveys have found that 87 percent of Americans don't like their jobs.”  (Sorry, no sources were cited for these surveys.)  Whether accurate or not, plenty of people can’t stand Monday morning.  Or Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings, for that matter.  Friday’s a toss-up.  That's because they've found a job, not a passion.

Well, I’m doing what I love and what I’m good at.  While I’m not a millionaire, nor will I ever be (unless I win this week’s lottery, and you’ll know it if this is my last blog); I hope I never return to the 9 to 5 scene.

How did I get here?  For the record my background includes marketing, public relations, advertising, sales and writing.  I haven’t always liked all of those tasks, but apparently I was good at what I did.   I was willing to work hard and cared about my reputation.   More importantly, I found out what I loved to do.  Even more significant, I figured out how I could make money doing what I love to do.

To find out what you're passionate about check my Passions blog!

It's Little Things

No Excuses

 

 

NOW is the time to make the changes you've always wanted.