Archive for Living Brilliantly Blog
Leadership & Life: the ABC’s of Decision Making
Posted by: | CommentsThe ABC’s that come to mind are: Always Be Conscious
Always, and in all ways, pay attention to your body’s feedback. While our mind is fantastic at thinking, the heart and the body frequently know things that are beyond our conscious recognition. Have you ever made an appointment with a doctor, to find out that you actually needed to see him/her when your appointment showed up? Just recently I had an appointment with my physician that had been made six weeks earlier. Lo and behold, the day before my appointment, I found out I really needed it. I was really glad to get in for that exam – especially since he is usually booked two months in advance.
Then again, there are the times I’ve heard (usually more than once) to make an appointment for X, call Y, or do something else specific. Because there was no apparent “need” I’ve put it off and paid the consequences. ALWAYS pay attention to the little things that appear more than once. Generally when you inwardly have a recurring thought, there is a good chance that you need to follow up. This is your inner compass. Have fun with it, learn to trust it, and you will find life’s decisions easier to make.
Be yourself. No need to impress another, or get their approval. When you pay attention to your own inner guidance system (INS) you will find the guidance available to make tough decisions. They may not be popular, but they will ultimately be the best one for you. March to your own drummer. Tune in so you can turn on to the amazing melody called you!
Conscious. Always be conscious of your intuition and notice when you lose your center. If you find yourself fuzzy, unable to make a clear decision, or wanting someone else to take responsibility for your choice, be aware that this is a red flag that your “life is in session – and lessons are at hand.” Often times, you are running an expectation toward what you want, what someone else wants, or what you think you (or they) want. There are even times when others will give you advice that is unconsciously designed to put you in their debt. TRUST YOURSELF. Ultimately, every choice has its consequences. Find the path that leave you feeling most at peace, and chances are you have found your personal “road less traveled.”
How that you’ve learned your ABC’s here’s the DEF’s.
Decide what works best for you. Try it out.
Evaluate the results.
Follow through with adjustments as needed.
Good luck with your ABC’s and DEF’s. They do get easier with practice.
A good friend, business mentor, or coach can help you get clear when the going gets muddy. Don’t forget that even with our ABC’s in place, we all sometimes need a mirror to see our reflection.
Visionary Leadership, Social Change and You
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Window's participants
Native Americans have a saying, “What you say or do effects seven generations.”
Almost 19 years ago a shy young school teacher decided to take a vacation and traveled across the United States. As a result of a casual conversation with a friend, she decided to stay at domestic violence shelters in exchange for offering art programs to shelter staff.
Staying in shelters changed that young woman forever. She was so moved by that trip that she founded A Window Between Worlds (awbw.org) She didn’t know how to proceed, she just knew she had to do something.
Fast forward 19 years….As a result of that one decision and a heartfelt desire to help others heal the hurt caused by domestic violence, Cathy Salser, founded what shelters, donors, participants, and foundations now call Windows Programs. We’ve reached over 60,309 women and children in Southern California and in 27 states….with those participants attending over 283,450 workshops. Currently we are the only national organization that provides free art leader training and art supplies to domestic violence programs. How’s that for a visionary that didn’t know how to begin and did it anyway!
In the words of one shelter director, “AWBW supports the internal healing process more than any other resource. Because art is a non-verbal means of expression it bypasses cognitive barriers and enables women and children to make emotional breakthroughs that simply wouldn’t be possible without AWBW.”
Just one workshop can change a life forever and support a breakthrough to brilliance. In my 11 years as a board member, I continue to be amazed at the simplicity of the creative process that allows these breakthroughs to occur.
If a single individual can say yes to their inner call, take action, and live from the desire to serve, imagine what two, four, eight or more of us can do together. I invite you to help us shine a light for those courageous women and children building a new future. I’ve started my very own online campaign to Adopt a Shelter - and we have an anonymous donor who will match us dollar for dollar up to $12,000!
Won’t you join me in helping Cathy’s dream to end the cycle of domestic violence come true?
The Great Secret
Posted by: | CommentsSome days I just don’t know which way to turn. I may feel paralyzed, fearful or just plan ornry. Here’s the great secret: no matter how paralyzed, fearful or upset we might be, there is an immediate solution. Bless it all and just keep on breathing.
Thoughts are energetic things. They leave their imprints on ourselves and those around us. Long before we discovered the truths of quantum physics, the Chinese had a saying, “Though the bird of sadness may land on your head, don’t let it build a nest.”
We allow negativity to build a nest when we fail to observe the subtle and not so subtle presence of negativity. Most of us are inundated with TV, the radio, and of course of newspaper or online home pages and negative friends or colleagues. A steady diet of this low level negativity may turn the most optimistic individual into a pessimist, wearing us down through association.
Take heart, the secret of secrets is no secret at all. Love it all, love yourself through whatever apparent mess you are in, and know that gratitude and forgiveness will lift and restore you Soul.
I don’t know about you, but life is sweeter when there is a diet of joy, laughter and contentment…so choose where you eat!
The Great Entrepreneurial What-if?
Posted by: | CommentsWhat if I make a wrong move, lose money, blow a deal?
The what if’s will take you out of the game. Any game.
What are your what-ifs?
