Personal Growth

Give Yourself the Gift of a New Beginning

December 24, 2012

Picture yourself sitting with a hot cup of chai from your favorite coffee place in town. You stir the chai and smell the delicious spices. You watch the hot steam rising, swirling.

photo credit: akqp 2

photo credit: akqp 2

Just as you would stir your cup of chai, we also need to stir up our dormant dreams and passions.

Sometimes they get stuck at the bottom of our cup. Stir that passion and drive back up.

You may have had disappointments in the past, failures, maybe lots of them. But this Christmas, give yourself the gift of a new beginning.

Continue Reading

10 Comments
Entrepreneurship

Seth Godin, Behemoth Books, and Ridiculousness

December 20, 2012

I recently read a blog post written by Seth Godin. It was called, Ridiculous is the New Remarkable.

4001830101_42473d6f2d_z

Seth Godin photo by Mirka23

In the post, Seth speaks of a 19 pound behemoth book he recently put together and sold as part of a kickstarter campaign. He said it was heavy enough to kill a small mammal. I believe him.

Suffice to say, Seth’s 19 pound book was not practical. It was not realistic. It was not simple, in style, or even sensible.

Seth himself said it cost him way to much to even ship these books! So, why would someone do this?

Continue Reading

23 Comments
Personal Growth

It’s Christmas And I’ve Been In a Funk

December 17, 2012

Has the busyness of the season gotten you in a funk? I know it has with me. I have not been doing a very good job of keeping things in perspective and maintaining a healthy, positive attitude.

Me, Jude, and Claudia

Definition of funk: feeling overwhelmed, discouraged, or depressed; having a negative attitude; thinking disempowering thoughts; not treating your loved ones with your best kindness

Of course this isn’t helped by the fact that we’ve probably over committed a little bit this month.

Claudia and I were just talking through all the things we have going on right now. And, even though our commitments are all good things like spending time with friends, buying gifts for loved ones, and saving two children in SE Asia, it’s a lot.

Continue Reading

12 Comments
Personal Growth

Why You Can’t Figure Out What You Are Supposed To Do With Your Life

December 13, 2012

Let me pose a question to you. Do you know why some people just seem to pop out of the womb knowing who they are to become, and others don’t?

The first type knows who they are to become and has an all consuming passion which never relents. They eat, breathe, and even sleep their passion.

The other type, well, they dabble. They try on different hats. They start and stop. They taste many varieties of life, and sometimes settle on something. Sometimes, however, they never settle.

I have often wondered why this is. And, more personally, I have wondered how to harness the dabbling way of approaching life and use it to my advantage. I don’t know the one thing which I am supposed to do. I have often dreamed of waking with a sudden realization of what I am “supposed” to do.

It has never happened.

Continue Reading

12 Comments
Personal Growth

5 Tips for Setting Next Year’s Goals

December 10, 2012

Now is the time of year you want to be looking ahead and setting your goals. What do you want 2013 to look like? If done right, this process can be the most exciting time. It’s a time where you step back for a little while and dream and plan for your future!

photo credit: angietorres

You’ll want to consider all areas of life assuring consistent growth in each.

  • Do you want to transition into a business full-time? Imagine the excitement and freedom!
  • Do you need to establish close relationships that challenge you to be a better person and inspire you to reach new heights?
  • Is your spiritual life at a level you want it to be? Are you longing for more peace of mind?
  • What could you do in the area of your finances? What could you do if you no longer had any debt?
  • What are some things you’d like to do with your family next year? How would your marriage improve if you went on some adventures together?
  • Are you satisfied with the level of your physical health? What if you had more energy and fewer aches and pains?
  • Are there things you’d like to improve on or learn personally? Do you want to sign up for that course you’ve been thinking about or read a certain number of books next year?

Continue Reading

4 Comments
Personal Growth

Why Your Happiness is Just Out of Reach

December 6, 2012

Yesterday evening I sat alone in a room. It was so very perfectly quiet. I sat smiling from ear to ear. Quietness feeds my mind and my soul. I face me there. I face me head on and I can’t hide. It’s a good thing.

As I reveled in the quietness I thought, “I am truly happy!” It was different for me. There was no, “I am happy, but…” or “I think I will be happy when…”

The thing is, for years now, I thought I would just be happy when ____________ happened. You fill in the blank.

It was has always been something. When I got married, when we bought a house, when we have a baby, when my baby sleeps through the night, when, when, when.

Continue Reading

13 Comments
Uncategorized

We Picked A Fight And It’s Gritty

December 3, 2012

Recently, I wrote a post about how it was time to pick a fight. I felt like a big, brave girl saying this since I haven’t picked a real fight once in my life! I did get a black eye once, but it was from a fast, flying baseball, not someone’s knuckles. 🙂

The fight I was talking about picking was a fight to help people who need a voice. It was a fight to give, because I can. To help, because I can. And, to get involved in something much bigger than myself.

It was time to do something about the DOING SOMETHING part of my faith as a Christian. Time to be a part of something big, bold, edgy, and gritty.

Well, the fight has been picked. And, it IS big, bold, edgy and gritty indeed.

Exodus Road

We were asked to join The Exodus Road in their fight against child slavery in South East Asia. We said yes immediately. We are absolutely thrilled to help!

This is a little blurb about Exodus Road their mission.

“We’re a non-profit organization that fights modern-day slavery through covert investigations. Our coalition of operatives work together to gather evidence and conduct rescues for those trapped in sexual slavery.”

Continue Reading

17 Comments
Personal Growth

How To Be A Listening Ninja

November 29, 2012

I have always thought of myself as a good listener. Imagine the day I realized I actually wasn’t.

photo by Joе

It was perhaps a year ago while reading a book on communication when I realized the truth. I was a horrible listener. No wonder I felt dissatisfied with how many conversations went. And, I realized this was also the basis for why I felt so unlistened to.

For many years, I thought I had to talk to be heard. Now I know I need to listen to be heard. When you listen well you establish deeper friendships and trust. You become a person other people want to be around. You will have opportunity to share your own struggles if you have practiced good listening skills yourself.

Here are six tips on becoming a listening ninja which I have been practicing. My life has become fuller and richer because of it.

Continue Reading

26 Comments
Entrepreneurship

The Benefit of Picking the Lowest Hanging Fruit

November 26, 2012

When thinking of doing something more creative and entrepreneurial for income, one way to get an idea off the ground quickly is simply picking the lowest hanging fruit.

photo by Madilyn Peiper

Your lowest hanging fruit is something you can quickly generate income from. It’s a problem that’s easy for you to solve considering your unique skills and abilities. It’s the most obvious opportunity right in front of you and would require the least effort.

While this may not be your dream business or even your passion, it’ll be something that will get you in the game. Then, you can experience little wins which help build momentum. It can also be a positive learning experience as you cultivate ideas for your next project.

Continue Reading

10 Comments
Personal Growth

Is Hope Hindering You?

November 22, 2012

The view surrounding me was pristine. I could see for miles. Green everywhere, even right in front of my eyes.

photo by elycefeliz

A slight breeze blew my then white blonde hair as I wedged my bare toes between the strong branches of my favorite walnut tree. I breathed a sigh knowing I was invisible, hidden beneath the green mass of leaves surrounding me.

What I loved about being in a tree is I could see other people but they couldn’t see me. I would sit for hours and spy.

I grew up in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. All my neighbors were Amish and I would watch with envy as they drove by in their buggies. I was not envious of the buggy mind you, I just wanted the horse.

Continue Reading

15 Comments